HCF of 12 and 18

The HCF of 12 and 18 is 6. HCF is the greatest integer which can divide the numbers 12 and 18 evenly. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, and the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18. The commonly used methods to determine the HCF value of the given numbers are prime factorisation, long division and listing the common factors.

Also read: Highest common factor

What is the HCF of 12 and 18?

The answer to this question is 6. The HCF of 12 and 18 using various methods is shown in this article for your reference. The HCF of 12 and 18 is 6, which divides both 12 and 18 exactly.

How to Find HCF of 12 and 18?

There are three methods to find the HCF of 12 and 18.

• Prime Factorisation
• Long Division method
• Listing common factors

HCF of 12 and 18 by Prime Factorisation Method

The prime factorisation of 12 and 18, is given by:

12 = 2 × 2 × 3

18 = 2 × 3 × 3

Common factors = 2, 3

Therefore, HCF (12, 18) = 2 × 3 = 6

HCF of 12 and 18 by Long Division Method

We’ll divide the numbers (12, 18) by their prime factors to get the HCF of 12 and 18 using the division method. The HCF of 12 and 18 is the divisor we get when the remainder becomes zero after repeated long division.

No further division can be done.

Hence, HCF (12, 18) = 6

HCF of 12 and 18 by Listing the Factors

To calculate the HCF of 12 and 18 by listing out the common factors, list the factors as shown below:

Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18

There are 4 common factors of 12 and 18 that are 1, 2, 3 and 6.

Therefore, the highest common factor of 12 and 18 is 6.

Related Articles

• HCF of Two Numbers
• HCF and LCM
• Relation between HCF and LCM
• GCF calculator
• GCF

Video Lesson on Properties of HCF and LCM

HCF of 12 and 18 Solved Example

Question: What is the HCF of 12 and 18 if the LCM is 36?

Solution:

Given

LCM = 36

We know that

HCF × LCM = 12 × 18

HCF = (12 × 18)/36 = 6

Hence, the HCF is 6.