How do you find the greatest common factor?

Question

6x^3 y and16a^2

Answer 1

try to split 6 and 16 into a product of prime number

6 = 2 . 3
16 = 2^4

6x^3y = 2 . 3 x^3 . y ( I change multiply into dot)
16a^2 = 2^4 . a^2

gretarest common factor = 2

Choose a number or variable that is occupied by both 6x^3y and 16a^2,
if there is same number or variable, choose the smallest one, e.g I choose 2 instead of 2^4)

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

first, you factor out the 6 and the 16 by using the factor tree.
you keep on simplifying the number until the numbers are all prime, cant be divided by anything other than 1 and its self.

6= 2*3, 16= 2*2*2*2
then you find the #'s that are in common and you find the greatest
in this situation it is 2
then since there is no common letter, the answer will be
2x^3ya^2

Answer 4

Divide the larger number by 2 and then go backwards from there..

Answer 5

im a third year math major and i do not know the answer
im ashame, lol