# GCF of 42 and 72

The gcf of 42 and 72 is the largest positive integer that divides the numbers 42 and 72 without a remainder. Spelled out, it is the greatest common factor of 42 and 72. Here you can find the gcf of 42 and 72, along with a total of three methods for computing it. In addition, we have a calculator you should check out. Not only can it determine the gcf of 42 and 72, but also that of three or more integers including forty-two and seventy-two for example. Keep reading to learn everything about the gcf (42,72) and the terms related to it.

## What is the GCF of 42 and 72

If you just want to know what is the greatest common factor of 42 and 72, it is 6. Usually, this is written as

gcf(42,72) = 6

The gcf of 42 and 72 can be obtained like this:

• The factors of 42 are 42, 21, 14, 7, 6, 3, 2, 1.
• The factors of 72 are 72, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1.
• The common factors of 42 and 72 are 6, 3, 2, 1, intersecting the two sets above.
• In the intersection factors of 42 ∩ factors of 72 the greatest element is 6.
• Therefore, the greatest common factor of 42 and 72 is 6.

Taking the above into account you also know how to find all the common factors of 42 and 72, not just the greatest. In the next section we show you how to calculate the gcf of forty-two and seventy-two by means of two more methods.

## How to find the GCF of 42 and 72

The greatest common factor of 42 and 72 can be computed by using the least common multiple aka lcm of 42 and 72. This is the easiest approach:

gcf (42,72) = $\frac{42 \times 72}{lcm(42,72)} = \frac{3024}{504}$ = 6

Alternatively, the gcf of 42 and 72 can be found using the prime factorization of 42 and 72:

• The prime factorization of 42 is: 2 x 3 x 7
• The prime factorization of 72 is: 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3
• The prime factors and multiplicities 42 and 72 have in common are: 2 x 3
• 2 x 3 is the gcf of 42 and 72
• gcf(42,72) = 6

In any case, the easiest way to compute the gcf of two numbers like 42 and 72 is by using our calculator below. Note that it can also compute the gcf of more than two numbers, separated by a comma. For example, enter 42,72. The calculation is conducted automatically.

The gcf is...
Frequently searched terms on our site also include:

## Use of GCF of 42 and 72

What is the greatest common factor of 42 and 72 used for? Answer: It is helpful for reducing fractions like 42 / 72. Just divide the nominator as well as the denominator by the gcf (42,72) to reduce the fraction to lowest terms.

$\frac{42}{72} = \frac{\frac{42}{6}}{\frac{72}{6}} = \frac{7}{12}$.

## Properties of GCF of 42 and 72

The most important properties of the gcf(42,72) are:

• Commutative property: gcf(42,72) = gcf(72,42)
• Associative property: gcf(42,72,n) = gcf(gcf(72,42),n) $\hspace{10px}n\hspace{3px}\epsilon\hspace{3px}\mathbb{Z}$

The associativity is particularly useful to get the gcf of three or more numbers; our calculator makes use of it.

To sum up, the gcf of 42 and 72 is 6. In common notation: gcf (42,72) = 6.

If you have been searching for gcf 42 and 72 or gcf 42 72 then you have come to the correct page, too. The same is the true if you typed gcf for 42 and 72 in your favorite search engine.

Note that you can find the greatest common factor of many integer pairs including forty-two / seventy-two by using the search form in the sidebar of this page.

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Posted in Greatest Common Factor

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