1.

4 Highest common factors

FINDING COMMON FACTORS SOLUTIONS

TASK 1 Sort factors

1 2

10 = 1 × 10 15 = 1 × 15 18 = 1 × 18 42 = 1 × 42
=2×5 =3×5 =2×9 = 2 × 21
=3×6 = 3 × 14
=6×7

3 4

35 = 1 × 35 70 = 1 × 70 14 = 1 × 14 45 = 1 × 45
=5×7 = 2 × 35 =2×7 = 3 × 15
= 5 × 14 =5×9
= 7 × 10

The highest common factor (HCF) is the largest number in the shared sections. It is the biggest
number that will divide exactly into both numbers.

HCF of 10 and 15 = 5 HCF of 18 and 42 = 6

HCF of 35 and 70 = 35 HCF of 14 and 45 = 1

© 2024 Cambridge University Press 1/2 Chapter 1: Integers

 1.4 Highest common factors

TASK 2 Explore factors

1 No, because the number 1 will always be a common factor of any two numbers.

2 Every even number will have a factor of 2.

3 Divide the mystery number by 2.

4 Much smaller
The second largest factor always pairs with the second smallest factor. The second smallest factor
can only be 3 or bigger since 2 cannot be a factor of odd numbers. When you divide a number by 3
the answer is a lot smaller than half the number.

5 Any multiples of 7 will work. For example: 7 and 14, 28 and 70, and so on.

6 If 6 divides into both the mystery numbers, then so will 2 and 3.

7 All the factors of 6 are also factors of 42. Enter a number to complete each sentence. There are
many correct answers to all questions.
a All the factors of 10 are also factors of 70. (Any multiple of 10 will do.)
b The only factor of 10 that is not a factor of 15 is 2. (Any number ending in 5 will do.)
c 24 and 35 have no common factors except 1. (Choose any number without the factors 2 and 3.)

© 2024 Cambridge University Press 2/2 Chapter 1: Integers