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101 LearnersLast updated on September 18, 2025
GCF of 3 and 12
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 3 and 12.
What is the GCF of 3 and 12?
The greatest common factor of 3 and 12 is 3. 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 3 and 12?
To find the GCF of 3 and 12, a few methods are described below
- Listing Factors
- Prime Factorization
- Long Division Method / by Euclidean Algorithm
GCF of 3 and 12 by Using Listing of Factors
Steps to find the GCF of 3 and 12 using the listing of factors
Step 1: Firstly, list the factors of each number
Factors of 3 = 1, 3.
Factors of 12 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.
Step 2: Now, identify the common factors of them Common factors of 3 and 12: 1, 3.
Step 3: Choose the largest factor The largest factor that both numbers have is 3. The GCF of 3 and 12 is 3.
GCF of 3 and 12 Using Prime Factorization
To find the GCF of 3 and 12 using the Prime Factorization Method, follow these steps:
Step 1: Find the prime factors of each number
Prime Factors of 3: 3 = 3
Prime Factors of 12: 12 = 2 × 2 × 3
Step 2: Now, identify the common prime factors The common prime factor is 3.
Step 3: Multiply the common prime factors The Greatest Common Factor of 3 and 12 is 3.
GCF of 3 and 12 Using Division Method or Euclidean Algorithm Method
Find the GCF of 3 and 12 using the division method or Euclidean Algorithm Method. Follow these steps:
Step 1: First, divide the larger number by the smaller number
Here, divide 12 by 3 12 ÷ 3 = 4 (quotient), remainder = 0
The remainder is zero, the divisor will become the GCF. The GCF of 3 and 12 is 3.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in GCF of 3 and 12
Finding the GCF of 3 and 12 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 12, students may mention 8, 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 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 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 3 and 12 Examples
Problem 1
A chef has 3 kilograms of flour and 12 kilograms of sugar. He wants to package them into equal sets, with the largest number of kilograms in each package. How many kilograms will each package contain?
We should find the GCF of 3 and 12 GCF of 3 and 12 is 3.
There are 3 equal packages. 3 ÷ 3 = 1 12 ÷ 3 = 4
There will be 3 packages, and each package gets 1 kilogram of flour and 4 kilograms of sugar.
Explanation
As the GCF of 3 and 12 is 3, the chef can make 3 packages.
Now divide 3 and 12 by 3.
Each package gets 1 kilogram of flour and 4 kilograms of sugar.
Problem 2
A gardener has 3 rose bushes and 12 lily bushes. They want to arrange them in rows with the same number of bushes in each row, using the largest possible number of bushes per row. How many bushes will be in each row?
GCF of 3 and 12 is 3. So each row will have 3 bushes.
Explanation
There are 3 rose bushes and 12 lily bushes.
To find the total number of bushes in each row, we should find the GCF of 3 and 12.
There will be 3 bushes in each row.
Problem 3
A painter has 3 meters of red paint and 12 meters of blue paint. He wants to use both paints in 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 3 and 12
The GCF of 3 and 12 is 3.
The paint is 3 meters long.
Explanation
For calculating the longest length of the paint, first, we need to calculate the GCF of 3 and 12, which is 3.
The length of each piece of paint will be 3 meters.
Problem 4
A craftsman has two ropes, one 3 meters long and the other 12 meters long. He wants to cut them into the longest possible equal pieces, without any rope left over. What should be the length of each piece?
The craftsman needs the longest piece of rope GCF of 3 and 12 is 3.
The longest length of each piece is 3 meters.
Explanation
To find the longest length of each piece of the two ropes, 3 meters and 12 meters respectively, we have to find the GCF of 3 and 12, which is 3 meters.
The longest length of each piece is 3 meters.
Problem 5
If the GCF of 3 and ‘b’ is 3, and the LCM is 12. Find ‘b’.
The value of ‘b’ is 12.
Explanation
GCF × LCM = product of the numbers
3 × 12 = 3 × b
36 = 3b
b = 36 ÷ 3 = 12
FAQs on the Greatest Common Factor of 3 and 12
1.What is the LCM of 3 and 12?
2.Is 3 divisible by 2?
3.What will be the GCF of any two prime numbers?
4.What is the prime factorization of 12?
5.Are 3 and 12 prime numbers?
Important Glossaries for GCF of 3 and 12
- 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, 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 12 are 2 and 3.
- Remainder: The value left after division when the number cannot be divided evenly. For example, when 10 is divided by 3, the remainder is 1 and the quotient is 3.
- LCM: The smallest common multiple of two or more numbers is termed LCM. For example, the LCM of 3 and 12 is 12.
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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.
