Question

Find the common factors of the given terms in each.

(i) 8x, 24

(ii) 3a, 2lab

(iii) 7xy, 35x²y³

(iv) 4m², 6m², 8m³

Answer 1

i) 8x = 2 × 2 × 2 × x

24 = 8 × 3 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3

∴ Common factors of 8x, 24 = 2, 4, 8.

ii) 3a, 21ab

3a = 3 × a

21ab = 7 × 3 × a × b

∴ Common factors of 3a, 21ab = 3, a, 3a.

iii) 7xy, 35x²y³

7xy = 7 × x × y

35x²y³ = 7 × 5 × x × x × y × y × y

∴ Common factors of 7xy, 35x²y³ = 7, x, y, 7x, 7y, xy, 7xy.

iv) 4m², 6m², 8m³

4m² = 2 × 2 × m × m

6m² = 2 × 3 × m × m

8m³ = 2 × 2 × 2 × m × m × m

∴ Common factors of 4m² , 6m² , 8m³ = 2, m, m², 2m, 2m².