Question

Find the HCF of the numbers in each of the following, using the prime factorization method:
72, 108, 180

Answer 1

The given numbers are 72, 108 and 180
We have:

Now, 72=2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 2³ × 3²
108 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 2² × 3³
180 = 2 × 2 × 3 ×3 × 5 = 2² × 3² × 5
∴ HCF =2²×3² =36