Question

Choose two numbers from this list: 3, 4, 6, 12. Explain the difference between finding the greatest common factor and the least common multiple of the two numbers.

Answer 1

Please check explanations for answer

Explanation:

Let us choose 4 and 6

When we talk of the greatest common factor, we mean the highest number that is a factor of both numbers

The factors of 4 are 1,2,2 and 4

Factors of 6 are 1,2,3 and 6

So as we can see the only common factors to both are 1,2 but the highest here is 2

The least common multiple refers to the smallest number which divides 4 and 6 at the same time without leaving a remainder

Multiples of 4 are 4,8,12 , 16,20 •••••

multiples of 6 are 6,12,18,24

As we can see, the lowest common number to both is 12