Question:
Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
12ax2, 6a2x3 and 2a3x5
Solution:
The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 12, 6 and 2. The greatest common factor of 12, 6 and 2 is 2.
The common literals appearing in the three monomials are a and x.
The smallest power of a in the three monomials is 1.
The smallest power of x in the three monomials is 2.
The monomial of common literals with the smallest powers is ax2.
Hence, the greatest common factor is 2ax2.