100 LearnersLast updated on August 5th, 2025
GCF of 16 and 64
The GCF, or greatest common factor, is the largest number that can evenly divide two or more numbers without leaving a remainder. GCF is useful for sharing items equally, organizing groups, and scheduling events. In this topic, we will learn about the GCF of 16 and 64.
What is the GCF of 16 and 64?
The greatest common factor of 16 and 64 is 16. The largest divisor of two or more numbers is called the GCF of the numbers. 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 16 and 64?
To find the GCF of 16 and 64, a few methods are described below:
- Listing Factors
- Prime Factorization
- Long Division Method / Euclidean Algorithm
GCF of 16 and 64 by Using Listing of Factors
Steps to find the GCF of 16 and 64 using the listing of factors:
Step 1: Firstly, list the factors of each number
Factors of 16 = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16.
Factors of 64 = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64.
Step 2: Now, identify the common factors of them Common factors of 16 and 64: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16.
Step 3: Choose the largest factor The largest factor that both numbers have is 16.
The GCF of 16 and 64 is 16.
GCF of 16 and 64 Using Prime Factorization
To find the GCF of 16 and 64 using the Prime Factorization Method, follow these steps:
Step 1: Find the prime factors of each number
Prime Factors of 16: 16 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24
Prime Factors of 64: 64 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 26
Step 2: Now, identify the common prime factors. The common prime factors are: 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24
Step 3: Multiply the common prime factors 24 = 16.
The Greatest Common Factor of 16 and 64 is 16.
GCF of 16 and 64 Using Division Method or Euclidean Algorithm Method
Find the GCF of 16 and 64 using the division method or Euclidean Algorithm Method. Follow these steps:
Step 1: First, divide the larger number by the smaller number.
Here, divide 64 by 16 64 ÷ 16 = 4 (quotient),
The remainder is calculated as 64 − (16×4) = 0
The remainder is zero, so the divisor will become the GCF.
The GCF of 16 and 64 is 16.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in GCF of 16 and 64
Finding the GCF of 16 and 64 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 16, students may mention 10, 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 factors with 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 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 16 and 64 Examples
Problem 1
A baker has 16 chocolate muffins and 64 blueberry muffins. She wants to pack them into the largest number of identical boxes without any leftovers. How many muffins will each box contain?
We should find the GCF of 16 and 64 GCF of 16 and 64 24 = 16.
There are 16 muffins per box
16 ÷ 16 = 1
64 ÷ 16 = 4
There will be 16 muffins in each box, with 1 chocolate muffin and 4 blueberry muffins.
Explanation
As the GCF of 16 and 64 is 16, the baker can pack 16 muffins in each box.
Now divide 16 and 64 by 16.
Each box contains 1 chocolate muffin and 4 blueberry muffins.
Problem 2
A gardener has 16 rose plants and 64 tulip plants. She wants to arrange them in rows with the same number of plants in each row, using the largest possible number of plants per row. How many plants will be in each row?
GCF of 16 and 64 24 = 16. So each row will have 16 plants.
Explanation
There are 16 rose plants and 64 tulip plants. To find the total number of plants in each row, we should find the GCF of 16 and 64. There will be 16 plants in each row.
Problem 3
A tailor has 16 meters of silk ribbon and 64 meters of satin ribbon. She wants to cut both ribbons 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 16 and 64 The GCF of 16 and 64 24 = 16. The ribbon is 16 meters long.
Explanation
For calculating the longest length of the ribbon first we need to calculate the GCF of 16 and 64, which is 16. The length of each piece of the ribbon will be 16 meters.
Problem 4
A carpenter has two wooden planks, one 16 cm long and the other 64 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 16 and 64
24 = 16.
The longest length of each piece is 16 cm.
Explanation
To find the longest length of each piece of the two wooden planks, 16 cm and 64 cm, respectively, we have to find the GCF of 16 and 64, which is 16 cm.
The longest length of each piece is 16 cm.
Problem 5
If the GCF of 16 and ‘b’ is 16, and the LCM is 64, find ‘b’.
The value of ‘b’ is 64.
Explanation
GCF x LCM = product of the numbers
16 × 64 = 16 × b
1024 = 16b
b = 1024 ÷ 16 = 64
FAQs on the Greatest Common Factor of 16 and 64
1.What is the LCM of 16 and 64?
2.Is 16 divisible by 2?
3.What will be the GCF of any two prime numbers?
4.What is the prime factorization of 64?
5.Are 16 and 64 prime numbers?
6.How can children in United States use numbers in everyday life to understand GCF of 16 and 64?
7.What are some fun ways kids in United States can practice GCF of 16 and 64 with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and GCF of 16 and 64 play in helping children in United States develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in United States create number-rich environments to improve GCF of 16 and 64 skills?
Important Glossaries for GCF of 16 and 64
- Factors: Factors are numbers that divide the target number completely. For example, the factors of 16 are 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16.
- Multiple: Multiples are the products we get by multiplying a given number by another. For example, the multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 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 factor of 16 is 2.
- Remainder: The value left after division when the number cannot be divided evenly. For example, when 13 is divided by 5, 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 16 and 64 is 64.
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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.
