Question:
Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
14x3y5, 10x5y3, 2x2y2
Solution:
The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 14, 10 and 2. The greatest common factor of 14, 10 and 2 is 2.
The common literals appearing in the three monomials are x and y.
The smallest power of x in the three monomials is 2.
The smallest power of y in the three monomials is 2.
The monomial of common literals with the smallest powers is x2y2.
Hence, the greatest common factor is 2x2y2