Question:
Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
9x2, 15x2y3, 6xy2 and 21x2y2
Solution:
The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 9, 15, 6 and 21. The greatest common factor of 9, 15, 6 and 21 is 3.
The common literal appearing in the three monomials is x.
The smallest power of x in the four monomials is 1.
The monomial of common literals with the smallest powers is x.
Hence, the greatest common factor is 3x.