[Mathematic Form 3] Common Factors

An algebraic term is made up of a numerical co-efficient and a variable. A divisor of an algebraic term is called the factor of the term.

Eg: 8p (8 is the numerical co-efficient and p is the variable)

Factors of an algebraic term can be multiplied together to produce the original term.

Eg: The factors of 4b are 1, 2, 4, b, 2b and 4b.

The common factors of algebraic terms can be determined by listing all the factors of the algebraic terms and then choosing the factors that are the same.

Example:

The factors of
6xy = 1, 2, 3, 6, x, y, xy, 2x, 2y, 2xy, 3x, 3y, 3xy, 6x, 6y, 6xy
3y² = 1, 3, y, y², 3y, 3y²

The common factors are 1, 3, y and 3y.

The Highest Common Factor or HCF is 3y because it has the highest value among the common factors.

** The number '1' is a factor and common factor for all algebraic terms. All algebraic terms are also factors of themselves.