103 LearnersLast updated on August 12th, 2025
GCF of 2 and 18
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 2 and 18.
What is the GCF of 2 and 18?
The greatest common factor of 2 and 18 is 2. 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 2 and 18?
To find the GCF of 2 and 18, a few methods are described below -
- Listing Factors
- Prime Factorization
- Long Division Method / by Euclidean Algorithm
GCF of 2 and 18 by Using Listing of Factors
Steps to find the GCF of 2 and 18 using the listing of factors
Step 1: Firstly, list the factors of each number Factors of 2 = 1, 2. Factors of 18 = 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18.
Step 2: Now, identify the common factors of them Common factors of 2 and 18: 1, 2.
Step 3: Choose the largest factor The largest factor that both numbers have is 2. The GCF of 2 and 18 is 2.
GCF of 2 and 18 Using Prime Factorization
To find the GCF of 2 and 18 using the Prime Factorization Method, follow these steps:
Step 1: Find the prime factors of each number Prime Factors of 2: 2 = 2 Prime Factors of 18: 18 = 2 x 3 x 3 = 2 x 3²
Step 2: Now, identify the common prime factors The common prime factor is: 2
Step 3: Multiply the common prime factors The Greatest Common Factor of 2 and 18 is 2.
GCF of 2 and 18 Using Division Method or Euclidean Algorithm Method
Find the GCF of 2 and 18 using the division method or Euclidean Algorithm Method. Follow these steps:
Step 1: First, divide the larger number by the smaller number Here, divide 18 by 2 18 ÷ 2 = 9 (quotient), The remainder is calculated as 18 − (2×9) = 0
The remainder is zero, so the divisor becomes the GCF. The GCF of 2 and 18 is 2.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in GCF of 2 and 18
Finding the GCF of 2 and 18 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 18, students may mention 5, 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 tells about the incomplete understanding of the factors. Students should include 1 as a factor.
Mistake 4
Using Multiples instead of factors
Students confuse 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 the GCF of two numbers will always be an even number. But it's not true; 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 2 and 18 Examples
Problem 1
A gardener has 2 shovels and 18 plants. She wants to distribute them in equal sets, with the largest number of items in each set. How many items will be in each set?
We should find the GCF of 2 and 18 GCF of 2 and 18 is 2.
There are 2 equal sets 2 ÷ 2 = 1 18 ÷ 2 = 9
There will be 2 sets, and each set gets 1 shovel and 9 plants.
Explanation
As the GCF of 2 and 18 is 2, the gardener can make 2 sets. Now divide 2 and 18 by 2. Each set gets 1 shovel and 9 plants.
Problem 2
A chef has 2 large ovens and 18 trays of cookies. They want to organize them in batches with the same number of trays in each batch, using the largest possible number of trays per batch. How many trays will be in each batch?
GCF of 2 and 18 is 2. So each batch will have 2 trays.
Explanation
There are 2 ovens and 18 trays of cookies. To find the total number of trays in each batch, we should find the GCF of 2 and 18. There will be 2 trays in each batch.
Problem 3
A farmer has 2 meters of fencing and 18 meters of rope. She wants to cut both 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 2 and 18 The GCF of 2 and 18 is 2. The length of each piece is 2 meters.
Explanation
For calculating the longest length of the pieces, first, we need to calculate the GCF of 2 and 18, which is 2. The length of each piece will be 2 meters.
Problem 4
A mechanic has two cables, one 2 meters long and the other 18 meters long. He wants to cut them into the longest possible equal pieces, without any cable left over. What should be the length of each piece?
The mechanic needs the longest piece of cable GCF of 2 and 18 is 2. The longest length of each piece is 2 meters.
Explanation
To find the longest length of each piece of the two cables, 2 meters and 18 meters, respectively. We have to find the GCF of 2 and 18, which is 2 meters. The longest length of each piece is 2 meters.
Problem 5
If the GCF of 2 and ‘b’ is 2, and the LCM is 18. Find ‘b’.
The value of ‘b’ is 18.
Explanation
GCF x LCM = product of the numbers
2 × 18 = 2 × b
36 = 2b
b = 36 ÷ 2 = 18
FAQs on the Greatest Common Factor of 2 and 18
1.What is the LCM of 2 and 18?
2.Is 18 divisible by 2?
3.What will be the GCF of any two prime numbers?
4.What is the prime factorization of 18?
5.Are 2 and 18 prime numbers?
6.How can children in Indonesia use numbers in everyday life to understand GCF of 2 and 18?
7.What are some fun ways kids in Indonesia can practice GCF of 2 and 18 with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and GCF of 2 and 18 play in helping children in Indonesia develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in Indonesia create number-rich environments to improve GCF of 2 and 18 skills?
Important Glossaries for GCF of 2 and 18
- Factors: Factors are numbers that divide the target number completely. For example, the factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
- Multiple: Multiples are the products we get by multiplying a given number by another. For example, the multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 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 18 are 2 and 3.
- Remainder: The value left after division when the number cannot be divided evenly. For example, when 11 is divided by 4, the remainder is 3 and the quotient is 2.
- LCM: The smallest common multiple of two or more numbers is termed LCM. For example, the LCM of 2 and 18 is 18.
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.
