What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?
The Greatest Common Factor (GCF), also known as the Highest Common Factor (HCF), is the largest number that divides evenly into two or more numbers.
For example, look at the numbers 12 and 18.
Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
The common factors are 1, 2, 3, and 6. The greatest of these is 6.
How to Find the GCF?
There are two main methods students practice with our greatest common factor worksheets grade 6 resources:
- Listing Factors: Write out all factors for each number and find the biggest match. Best for smaller numbers found in our gcf practice problems.
- Prime Factorization: Break numbers down into prime numbers (e.g., 12 = 2 × 2 × 3) and find the shared primes. This is a key skill in finding the gcf of two numbers.
Why learn GCF?
Mastering GCF is essential for simplifying fractions. To reduce a fraction like 12/18 to its simplest form (2/3), you divide the top and bottom by their GCF (6). Without this skill, solving math worksheets finding factors and fraction problems becomes much harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GCF the same as HCF?
Yes, absolutely. GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and HCF (Highest Common Factor) refer to the exact same concept. You might also hear GCD (Greatest Common Divisor).
Do these sheets include answers?
Yes. Every finding factors worksheet you generate comes with a complete answer key on the second page for easy grading.
Is Gcf worksheet with answers?
Yes, our tool functions as a dynamic gcf calculator that outputs a printable PDF. The answer key is automatically generated and attached to the PDF.
Do you have gcf and lcm worksheets?
Yes, we have separate tools for both! You are currently on the GCF page, but you can find our specific gcf and lcm worksheets generator linked in the "More Free Math Tools" section above.
Gcf worksheet with answers pdf?
Simply click the "Download PDF" button at the top of the page. The system will instantly create a high-quality printable hcf worksheets with answers PDF file for you to save or print.