common factor

Friendly

Explanation of "Common Factor"

Definition:
A common factor is a number that can be divided evenly into two or more different numbers. This means that when you divide the common factor by those numbers, there is no remainder left.

Example:

Let's say you have the numbers 12 and 18.
- The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
- The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18.
- The common factors of 12 and 18 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Advanced Usage:

In higher mathematics, you might encounter the concept of the greatest common factor (GCF), which is the largest of the common factors of two or more numbers. For example, the GCF of 12 and 18 is 6.

Word Variants:

• Commonality (noun): This refers to the state of being common or shared among multiple items.
• Factor (noun): A number that is multiplied by another number to get a product.

Different Meanings:

In a non-mathematical context, "common factor" can refer to shared characteristics or qualities among different people or things. For example, when discussing a group of friends, you might say, "The common factor among them is their love for music."

Synonyms:

• Shared divisor
• Mutual factor

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "common factor" doesn't have idiomatic expressions directly related to it, you might come across phrases like "a common thread," which refers to a shared theme or idea among different situations or stories.

Summary:

A common factor is a useful concept in math that helps us find numbers that share divisibility.

Academic

Noun

1. an integer that divides two (or more) other integers evenly

Synonyms

• common divisor
• common measure