i need to be able to work out the hcf of 158 and 426 i can get so far but then i get stuck i also need to know the method to work it out
2006-10-29 06:17:55 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Prime factorise the numbers first, so:
158 = 2 x 79
426 = 2 x 3 x 71
Then you take the prime factors that they have in common.
So in this case, it is just 2.
HCF is 2. Are you sure that's the question you were asked? It seems a bit silly.
2006-10-29 09:26:23 · answer #1 · answered by THJE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the best way would be to use what is called the Euclidean algorithm.
Here's how you do it: You start off with 426 and 158. You know that 426=2(158)+110.
Then repeat the process for 158 and 110:
158=110+48
Continue again...
110=2(48)+14
and again...
48=3(14)+6
and again...
14=2(6)+2.
and again...
6=3(2)+0.
Bingo-stop and 2 is your hcf.
Further, you can express 2 as a combination of 158 and 426, but I won't do it now, as I'm too tired. If you want to find out more about this method, look up the Euclidean Algorithm-I'm sure they have a piece on it in wikipedia.
Hope this helps!
2006-10-29 17:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by friendly_220_284 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2. Divide the number by 2 or 3 and make the numbers smaller
158/2 = 79
426/2 = 213
Neither number will go down any further therefore h.c.f is 2.
2006-10-29 06:27:44 · answer #3 · answered by brogdenuk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go and have a look if this helps you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_common_divisor
It makes sense to me, so try it out
2006-10-29 06:26:48 · answer #4 · answered by Frank H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋