Answer:
gcf = 24x^2
Explanation:
grouping the factors that they both have in common:
48x^2: (2*2*2*3*x*x)*2
72x^3: (2*2*2*3*x*x)*3*x
Answer:
24x^2
Step-by-step explanation:
The first thing to look at is to find the greatest common factor for the numbers, and concern yourself with the variables second.
The highest number that both 72 and 48 are divisible by is 24. Therefore, your coefficient is 24.
Double check this works:
72/24 = 3
48/24 = 2
The answers above are prime numbers and therefore do not have any more common factors (with the exception of 1), so we can be sure we have found the greatest common factor.
Now we can look at the variables. The highest "number" that both x^3 and x^2 are divisible by is x is x^2. x^3
Double check:
x^3/x^2 = x
x^2/x^2 = 1
Put it together, and your answer is 24x^2
