Question

Find the H.C.F. by prime factorisation method:
$32,48,96$

Answer 1

The H.C.F. or G.C.D. of two or more numbers is the greatest number that can divide each of the given number exactly.

Considering $32,48,96$

Write each number as a product of its prime factors.

Taking $32,48,96$

$$\begin{gathered} 32=2\times 2\times 2\times 2\times 2 \\ 48=2\times 2\times 2\times 2\times 3 \\ 96=2\times 2\times 2\times 2\times 2\times 3 \end{gathered}$$

Now, the product of prime factors common in prime factors of the given numbers, gives the H.C.F.

$HCF(32,48,96)=2\times 2\times 2\times 2=16$

Hence, $HCF(32,48,96)=16$