Find the HCF of 6 and 20.

Step 1: Prime Factorization of the first number

First, we find the prime factorization of 6. This means expressing 6 as a product of its prime factors. The prime factors of 6 are 2 and 3.

Step 2: Prime Factorization of the second number

Next, we find the prime factorization of 20. This means expressing 20 as a product of its prime factors. The prime factors of 20 are 2, 2, and 5, which can be written as $2^2 \times 5$.

Step 3: Identify common prime factors with the smallest power

To find the HCF, we identify the prime factors common to both 6 and 20. The only common prime factor is 2. We then take the smallest power of this common prime factor from its occurrences in both numbers. For 2, the powers are $2^1$ (from 6) and $2^2$ (from 20). The smallest power is $2^1$.

Step 4: Calculate the HCF

The HCF is the product of the smallest power of each common prime factor. In this case, the only common prime factor raised to its smallest power is $2^1$, which equals 2. Therefore, the HCF of 6 and 20 is 2.

More from this chapter

• **10 is even, it can be paired** All the tens and hundreds can be paired. * **10**: Represented by a single block rod of 10 units, split with arrows into two eq
• How many numbers are divisible by 7
• how does multiplication help us solve division? 3x 5=15, 5x3=15, 15/3=5 and 15/5=3
• How does multiplication help us solve division?
• Solve Mohan have 1 kg apple its cost 100 rs find 45 kg apple cost
• difference of lcm and hcf
• Round the numbers 12.34 and 4.789 to the nearest whole number and then find the difference.
• How many natural numbers lie between 7.001 and 47.999?

All Number Play solutions →