A carpenter has boards of lengths 24, 36, and 42 inches that must be cut into smaller boards of equal length, with no scrap wood left over.

What is the longest length of boards he can cut?

2 inches
4 inches
6 inches
12 inches

Question

A carpenter has boards of lengths 24, 36, and 42 inches that must be cut into smaller boards of equal length, with no scrap wood left over.

What is the longest length of boards he can cut?

2 inches
4 inches
6 inches
12 inches

campbell_st · Answer

find the largest common factor of 24, 36 and 42

perl · Answer

i think the greatest common divisor will work

perl · Answer

using my TI 83
gcd (24, gcd(36,42) )

triciaal · Answer

SO DO WE AGREE ON 6"

anonymous · Answer

Its 6 right

perl · Answer

the function gcd( ) only allows two inputs, so you can work around

perl · Answer

yes i get 6

anonymous · Answer

Thanks

perl · Answer

i like this problem, it is a concrete example of greatest common divisor , in a carpenter setting

campbell_st · Answer

you are correct... 

4 x 6 = 24
6x6 = 36
7x 6 = 42

what is common in all 3 measurements  that is the common factor

triciaal · Answer

forget the TI 83 for a minute and use the one that takes all input 
24 = 4 x 6
36 = 6 x 6
42 = 7 x 6