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109 LearnersLast updated on August 14, 2025
GCF of 52 and 78
The GCF is the largest number that can divide two or more numbers without leaving any remainder. GCF is used to share the items equally, to group or arrange items, and schedule events. In this topic, we will learn about the GCF of 52 and 78.
What is the GCF of 52 and 78?
The greatest common factor of 52 and 78 is 26. The largest divisor of two or more numbers is called the GCF of the number.
If two numbers are co-prime, they have no common factors other than 1, so their GCF is 1. The GCF of two numbers cannot be negative because divisors are always positive.
How to find the GCF of 52 and 78?
To find the GCF of 52 and 78, a few methods are described below -
- Listing Factors
- Prime Factorization
- Long Division Method / by Euclidean Algorithm
GCF of 52 and 78 by Using Listing of factors
Steps to find the GCF of 52 and 78 using the listing of factors
Step 1: Firstly, list the factors of each number
Factors of 52 = 1, 2, 4, 13, 26, 52.
Factors of 78 = 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, 26, 39, 78.
Step 2: Now, identify the common factors of them Common factors of 52 and 78: 1, 2, 13, 26.
Step 3: Choose the largest factor The largest factor that both numbers have is 26. The GCF of 52 and 78 is 26.
GCF of 52 and 78 Using Prime Factorization
To find the GCF of 52 and 78 using the Prime Factorization Method, follow these steps:
Step 1: Find the prime Factors of each number
Prime Factors of 52: 52 = 2 x 2 x 13 = 22 x 13
Prime Factors of 78: 78 = 2 x 3 x 13 = 2 x 3 x 13
Step 2: Now, identify the common prime factors The common prime factors are: 2 x 13
Step 3: Multiply the common prime factors 2 x 13 = 26. The Greatest Common Factor of 52 and 78 is 26.
GCF of 52 and 78 Using Division Method or Euclidean Algorithm Method
Find the GCF of 52 and 78 using the division method or Euclidean Algorithm Method. Follow these steps:
Step 1: First, divide the larger number by the smaller number Here, divide 78 by 52 78 ÷ 52 = 1 (quotient), The remainder is calculated as 78 − (52×1) = 26 The remainder is 26, not zero, so continue the process
Step 2: Now divide the previous divisor (52) by the previous remainder (26) Divide 52 by 26 52 ÷ 26 = 2 (quotient), remainder = 52 − (26×2) = 0
The remainder is zero, the divisor will become the GCF. The GCF of 52 and 78 is 26.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in GCF of 52 and 78
Finding GCF of 52 and 78 looks simple, but students often make mistakes while calculating the GCF. Here are some common mistakes to be avoided by the students.
Mistake 1
Listing Incorrect Factors
Students may sometimes list incorrect factors. For example, while listing factors of 52, students may mention 20 which is incorrect. To avoid this, students should carefully divide the number and list the factors correctly.
Mistake 2
Choosing the wrong common factor
Students may sometimes select the smallest common factor instead of the largest one. To avoid this confusion, students should list all the common factors and find the greatest one.
Mistake 3
Forgetting to include 1 as a factor
Sometimes students may forget 1 as a common factor of the numbers. However, it does not affect the GCF, but it indicates an incomplete understanding of the factors. Students should include 1 as a factor.
Mistake 4
Using Multiples instead of factors
Students confuse between factors and multiples. In that confusion, sometimes they may write multiples instead of factors. To avoid this confusion, students should know the definitions of multiples and factors clearly.
Mistake 5
Assuming GCF is always an even number
Students may assume that GCF of two numbers will always be an even number. But it's not true that a GCF can also be an odd number. To avoid this, students should focus on common factors rather than focusing on even and odd numbers.
Greatest Common Factor of 52 and 78 Examples
Problem 1
A teacher has 52 notebooks and 78 pens. She wants to group them into equal sets, with the largest number of items in each group. How many items will be in each group?
We should find the GCF of 52 and 78 GCF of 52 and 78 2 x 13 = 26. There are 26 equal groups 52 ÷ 26 = 2 78 ÷ 26 = 3 There will be 26 groups, and each group gets 2 notebooks and 3 pens.
Explanation
As the GCF of 52 and 78 is 26, the teacher can make 26 groups. Now divide 52 and 78 by 26. Each group gets 2 notebooks and 3 pens.
Problem 2
A school has 52 red chairs and 78 blue chairs. They want to arrange them in rows with the same number of chairs in each row, using the largest possible number of chairs per row. How many chairs will be in each row?
GCF of 52 and 78 2 x 13 = 26. So each row will have 26 chairs.
Explanation
There are 52 red and 78 blue chairs. To find the total number of chairs in each row, we should find the GCF of 52 and 78. There will be 26 chairs in each row.
Problem 3
A tailor has 52 meters of red fabric and 78 meters of blue fabric. She wants to cut both fabrics into pieces of equal length, using the longest possible length. What should be the length of each piece?
For calculating the longest equal length, we have to calculate the GCF of 52 and 78 The GCF of 52 and 78 2 x 13 = 26. The fabric is 26 meters long.
Explanation
For calculating the longest length of the fabric, first, we need to calculate the GCF of 52 and 78, which is 26. The length of each piece of fabric will be 26 meters.
Problem 4
A carpenter has two wooden planks, one 52 cm long and the other 78 cm long. He wants to cut them into the longest possible equal pieces, without any wood left over. What should be the length of each piece?
The carpenter needs the longest piece of wood GCF of 52 and 78 2 x 13 = 26. The longest length of each piece is 26 cm.
Explanation
To find the longest length of each piece of the two wooden planks, 52 cm and 78 cm, respectively. We have to find the GCF of 52 and 78, which is 26 cm. The longest length of each piece is 26 cm.
Problem 5
If the GCF of 52 and ‘b’ is 26, and the LCM is 156, find ‘b’.
The value of ‘b’ is 78.
Explanation
GCF x LCM = product of the numbers
26 × 156 = 52 × b
4056 = 52b
b = 4056 ÷ 52 = 78
FAQs on the Greatest Common Factor of 52 and 78
1.What is the LCM of 52 and 78?
2.Is 52 divisible by 2?
3.What will be the GCF of any two prime numbers?
4.What is the prime factorization of 78?
5.Are 52 and 78 prime numbers?
6.What are some fun ways kids in Canada can practice GCF of 52 and 78 with numbers?
7.How can families in Canada create number-rich environments to improve GCF of 52 and 78 skills?
8.How can children in Canada use numbers in everyday life to understand GCF of 52 and 78?
9.What role do numbers and GCF of 52 and 78 play in helping children in Canada develop problem-solving skills?
Important Glossaries for GCF of 52 and 78
- Factors: Factors are numbers that divide the target number completely. For example, the factors of 26 are 1, 2, 13, and 26.
- Multiple: Multiples are the products we get by multiplying a given number by another. For example, the multiples of 13 are 13, 26, 39, 52, and so on.
- Prime Factors: These are the factors of a number that are prime numbers and divide the given number completely. For example, the prime factors of 78 are 2, 3, and 13.
- Remainder: The value left after division when the number cannot be divided evenly. For example, when 78 is divided by 26, the remainder is 0 and the quotient is 3.
- LCM: The smallest common multiple of two or more numbers is termed LCM. For example, the LCM of 52 and 78 is 156.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana
About the Author
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
Fun Fact
: She loves to read number jokes and games.
