Question

Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
6x³y and 18x²y³

Answer 1

The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 6 and 18. The greatest common factor of 6 and 18 is 6.
The common literals appearing in the two monomials are x and y. 
The smallest power of x in the two monomials is 2.
The smallest power of y in the two monomials is 1.
The monomial of the common literals with the smallest powers is x²y.
​Hence, the greatest common factor is 6x²y​.