Question

Find the greatest common factor (GCF/HCF) of the following polynomial:
12ax², 6a²x³ and 2a³x⁵

Answer 1

The numerical coefficients of the given monomials are 12, 6 and 2. The greatest common factor of 12, 6 and 2 is 2.
The common literals appearing in the three monomials are a and x. 
The smallest power of a in the three monomials is 1.
The smallest power of x in the three monomials is 2.
The monomial of common literals with the smallest powers is ax².
​Hence, the greatest common factor is 2ax².