Question:
Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
42x2yz and 63x3y2z3
Solution:
The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 42 and 63. The greatest common factor of 42 and 63 is 21.
The common literals appearing in the two monomials are x, y and z.
The smallest power of x in the two monomials is 2.
The smallest power of y in the two monomials is 1.
The smallest power of z in the two monomials is 1.
The monomial of the common literals with the smallest powers is x2yz.
Hence, the greatest common factor is 21x2yz.