How do we find the Greatest

Common Factor (GCF) of two

given numbers using continuous
division? Or the Ladder
Method
Prepared by:
Iamnot Rusmi
Continuous division is done
following the steps below:
Step 1:
Write the number horizontally
Step 2:
Find a prime number that will
divide the numbers, if possible.
Step 3:
Divide the given numbers by that
prime number and write the
quotients below.
Step 4:
Continue the process until no two
numbers have a common prime
divisor.
Step 5:
Multiply all the prime divisors
common to the given numbers to
get the GCF.
Finding the GCF of
4 Numbers
 Red Group
36, 60, 84 and 108
 Green Group
12, 16, 24 and 36
 Yellow Group
48, 56, 64 and 72
 Orange Group
27, 45, 63, and 81
 Red Group
36, 60, 84 and 108

2 36, 60, 84 , 108

2 18, 30, 42 , 54
3 9, 15, 24 , 27
3, 5 , 6 , 9

2 x 2 x 3 = 12
 Green Group
12, 16, 24 and 36

2 12, 16, 24 , 36
2 6, 8 , 12 , 18
3,4, 6, 9

2x2 = 4
 Yellow Group
48, 56, 64 and 72

2 48, 56, 64 , 72
2 24, 28, 32 , 36
2 6, 14, 16 , 18
3, 7 , 8 , 9

2x2x2= 8
 Orange Group
27, 45, 63 and 81

3 27, 45, 63 , 81
3 9, 15, 21 , 27
3, 5, 7 , 9

3 x 3= 9
Easiest Way to get GCF.
HOW?
Think of the Biggest Number
that can divide the given
Numbers.
And that will be your GCF
Example
18 and 27
GCF = 9
24 and 12
GCF = 12
16 and 20
GCF = 4
Do it Mentally
32 and 24
GCF = 8
20 and 10
GCF = 10
45 and 10
GCF = 5
12 and 18
GCF = 6
100 and 50
GCF = 50
40 and 20
GCF = 20
15 and 18
GCF = 3
36 and 48
GCF = 6
54 and 72
GCF = 9
For 3 numbers
18 , 27 , 30
GCF = 3
24 , 36 , 40
GCF = 4
75 , 15 , 30
GCF = 15
32 , 16 , 56
GCF = 8
For 4 numbers
24, 40, 36, 12
GCF = 4
25, 35, 20, 15
GCF = 5
150, 50, 100, 75
GCF = 25
36 , 24 , 60, 72
GCF = 12
Find the GCF of the following
problems using continuous
division.
Miss Dela Cueva has to prepare number of exercises for
her lesson for the day. She has three classes. One class
has 48 pupils, another class has 50, and another has 46.
What must be the largest number of exercises she
should prepare so that each class will have the same
number of pupils working on different problems?
2 48, 50, 56
24, 25, 28

Answer: 2
There are 10 green, 14 blue, 20 red and 24 yellow bulbs
to be used for a birthday party. They are to be placed in
plastic bags so that each bag contains the same number
of green, blue, red and yellow bulbs. What is the largest
number of plastic bags that will be needed?
2 10, 14, 20, 24
2 5, 7, 10, 12

GCF: 4
A group of 45 dancers will march behind a group of 30
clowns in a parade. You want to arrange the two
groups in rows with the same number of people in
each row, but without mixing the group. What is the
greatest number of people you can have in each row?
5 45, 30
3 9, 6
3, 2

GCF: 15
The parents are making sandwiches for the class
picnic. They have 72 ham slices, 48 cheese slices, and
96 tomato slices. What is the greatest number of
sandwiches they can make if each sandwich has the
same filling?
 
2 72, 48, 96
2 36, 24, 32
2 18, 12, 16
9, 6, 8

GCF: 6
Assessment
1.) 30, 75, 120, 150
2.)90, 135, 180, 195
3.)42, 56, 70, 98
 
5 30, 75, 120, 150
3 15, 15, 24, 30
5, 5, 8, 10

GCF: 15
5 90, 135, 180, 195
3 18, 27, 36, 39
6, 9, 12, 13

GCF: 15
2 42, 56, 70, 98
7 21, 28, 35, 49
3, 4, 5, 7

GCF: 14