Question:
Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
6x3y and 18x2y3
Solution:
The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 6 and 18. The greatest common factor of 6 and 18 is 6.
The common literals appearing in the two monomials are x and y.
The smallest power of x in the two monomials is 2.
The smallest power of y in the two monomials is 1.
The monomial of the common literals with the smallest powers is x2y.
Hence, the greatest common factor is 6x2y.