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Year 6 · Multiplication

Highest common factor

The highest common factor (HCF) is the biggest number that divides into both numbers.

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How to do it

  1. List the factors of each number.
  2. Circle the ones in both lists.
  3. Pick the biggest.

Worked example

What is the highest common factor of 36 and 24?
Factors of 36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36. Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. The biggest number in both lists is 12.
Answer: 12

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1 is always a common factor, but rarely the highest.

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