Question:
Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
7x, 21x2 and 14xy2
Solution:
The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 7, 21 and 14. The greatest common factor of 7, 21 and 14 is 7.
The common literal appearing in the three monomials is x.
The smallest power of x in the three monomials is 1.
The monomial of the common literals with the smallest powers is x.
Hence, the greatest common factor is 7x.