Chapter 4.2, Problem 38E

To determine

To find greatest common factor of given monomial.

Answer to Problem 38E

  $2a$

Explanation of Solution

Given Information: $72a^3{b}^2,86a$

Formula used: Calculate Greatest common factor using factor method of monomial.

Calculation:

The factors of 72 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72

The factors of 86 are: 1, 2, 43, 86

Then the greatest common factor is 2.

Factors of $a^3{b}^2$ = $a\times a\times a\times b\times b$

Factors of $a$ = $a$

Greatest common factor of a variable is the biggest divisor that divides both the monomials. Therefore, the GCF of variable is $a$

The final answer: $2a$