Year 10 Interactive Maths - Second Edition

Highest Common Factor

Consider the highest common factor of 24 and 40.

The common factors of 24 and 40 are 2, 4, and 8. So, the highest common factor is 8.

Note:

The highest common factor is the product of the common prime factors.

The highest common factor of algebraic expressions is useful in factorisation; and it is the product of the common prime factors, which includes both common numerical and algebraic factors.

Example 1

Solution:

Example 2

Solution:

Key Terms

highest common factor, HCF, highest common factor of algebraic expressions

Study Another Topic in Chapter 10: Factorisation Techniques

[ Highest Common Factor ] [ Factorisation using the Common Factor ] [ The Difference of Two Squares ] [ Quadratic Trinomials ] [ Cross-Multiplication Method ] [ Factors of Quadratic Trinomials of the Type ax² + bx + c ] [ Use of Perfect Squares ] [ Use of Substitution ] [ Use of a Common Factor ] [ Factorisation of Four Terms ] [ Grouping 'Three and One' ] [ Real Numbers ] [ Completing the Square ] [ Problem Solving Unit ] [ Projects ] [ Symbols ] [ Index ]