GCF (HCF) of 12 and 9

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Greatest Common Factor of
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What is the Greatest Common Divisor of 12 and 9?

Answer

GCF (HCF) of 12 and 9 is
3

Common factors: 1, 3

3 divides both: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, 9 ÷ 3 = 3 — and 4 and 3 share no factor but 1, so no larger number divides both.

12 = 22 × 3

9 = 32

Prime129Lowest power
222——
33323

— = power 0: the prime is not a factor of this number, so it cannot be in the GCF.

GCF = 3

See Also

FAQ

What is the Greatest Common Divisor of 12 and 9?

GCF (HCF) of 12 and 9 is 3

How to find the GCF of 12 and 9?

You can find the GCF of 12 and 9 by listing all factors of both numbers and picking the greatest common one, or by prime factorization. The GCF of 12 and 9 is 3.

What prime factors do 12 and 9 share?

The prime factorizations of 12 and 9 have 3 in common, and multiplying those shared primes gives 3 — exactly the greatest common factor.

How does the GCF reduce the fraction 12/9?

Divide the numerator and the denominator by the GCF 3: 12 ÷ 3 = 4 and 9 ÷ 3 = 3. So 12/9 in lowest terms is 4/3.