Chapter CSB1.2, Problem 21E

To determine

To find: The GCF of the numbers $12x$ and $40x^2$ .

Answer to Problem 21E

The GCF is $4x$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given information: The numbers are $12x$ , $40x^2$ .

Calculation:

Prime factors of $12x$ are

  $12x=1\times 2\times 2\times 3\times x$

Prime factors of $40x^2$ are

  $40x^2=1\times 2\times 2\times 2\times 5\times x\times x$

Greatest common factor of $12x$ , $40x^2$ is

  $1\times 2\times 2\times x=4x$

  $\therefore$ GCF of $12x$ , $40x^2$ = $4x$ .