Learn how to find a common factor, the highest common factor (HCF) and lowest common multiple (LCM) as well as what a common factor is with in this KS3 guide.

They are the multiplication “facts” of the number. A common factor is a factor that is shared by two or more numbers. The number 1 will be a common factor for every single number!

A common factor is a number that can be divided into two different numbers, without leaving a remainder. Find out in this KS3 Bitesize Maths guide.

highest common factor (HCF)The highest common factor (HCF) of two numbers is the largest number which will divide exactly into both of them, for example, the highest common factor of 24 and 36 is 12.

Practise what you've learned about Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple with this quiz. The quiz questions change each time you play, so keep testing your knowledge.

The highest common factor (HCF) is found by identifying all common factors of two numbers and selecting the largest one. For example, 8 and 12 have common factors of 1, 2 and 4.

A common factor is a number that two numbers can both divide into exactly. The highest common factor is the largest number that divide into two numbers exactly.

A common factor is a number that two numbers can both divide into exactly. The highest common factor is the largest number that divide into two numbers exactly.

To find the HCF, find any prime factors that are in common between the products. Each product contains two 2s and one 3, so use these for the HCF. HCF = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12

A common factor is a number that two numbers can both divide into exactly. The highest common factor is the largest number that divide into two numbers exactly.