Question

whats the GCF of 72,48 an 36?

Answer 1

Do you know the euclidean algorithm?

Answer 2

You can also just decompose the numbers into prime factors. Choose either method.

Answer 3

\[72 = 2^3 \cdot 3^2\]\[48 = 2^4 \cdot 3\]\[36 = 2^2 \cdot 3^2\]
We take the greatest powers of the prime factors common to all the numbers:
\[GCF = 2^2 \cdot 3 = 12\]
Let me know if you have any problems understanding the answer.