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101 LearnersLast updated on September 18, 2025
GCF of 3 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 3 and 18.
What is the GCF of 3 and 18?
The greatest common factor of 3 and 18 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 18?
To find the GCF of 3 and 18, a few methods are described below
- Listing Factors
- Prime Factorization
- Long Division Method / by Euclidean Algorithm
GCF of 3 and 18 by Using Listing of factors
Steps to find the GCF of 3 and 18 using the listing of factors
Step 1: Firstly, list the factors of each number
Factors of 3 = 1, 3.
Factors of 18 = 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18.
Step 2: Now, identify the common factors of them Common factors of 3 and 18: 1, 3.
Step 3: Choose the largest factor The largest factor that both numbers have is 3. The GCF of 3 and 18 is 3.
GCF of 3 and 18 Using Prime Factorization
To find the GCF of 3 and 18 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 18: 18 = 2 x 3 x 3 = 2 x 3²
Step 2: Now, identify the common prime factors The common prime factor is: 3
Step 3: Multiply the common prime factors 3 = 3. The Greatest Common Factor of 3 and 18 is 3.
GCF of 3 and 18 Using Division Method or Euclidean Algorithm Method
Find the GCF of 3 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 3 18 ÷ 3 = 6 (quotient),
The remainder is calculated as 18 − (3×6) = 0
The remainder is zero, so the divisor will become the GCF. The GCF of 3 and 18 is 3.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in GCF of 3 and 18
Finding GCF of 3 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 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 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 3 and 18 Examples
Problem 1
An artist has 3 canvases and 18 paints. She wants to arrange 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 3 and 18 GCF of 3 and 18 3 = 3.
There are 3 equal sets 3 ÷ 3 = 1 18 ÷ 3 = 6
There will be 3 sets, and each set gets 1 canvas and 6 paints.
Explanation
As the GCF of 3 and 18 is 3, the artist can make 3 sets.
Now divide 3 and 18 by 3.
Each set gets 1 canvas and 6 paints.
Problem 2
A theater has 3 rows of special seats and 18 rows of regular seats. They want to rearrange them with the same number of rows in each section, using the largest possible number of rows per section. How many rows will be in each section?
GCF of 3 and 18 3 = 3.
So each section will have 3 rows.
Explanation
There are 3 special seat rows and 18 regular seat rows.
To find the total number of rows in each section, we should find the GCF of 3 and 18.
There will be 3 rows in each section.
Problem 3
A gardener has 3 meters of red hose and 18 meters of green hose. She wants to cut both hoses 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 3 and 18
The GCF of 3 and 18 3 = 3.
The hose is 3 meters long.
Explanation
For calculating the longest length of the hose, first, we need to calculate the GCF of 3 and 18, which is 3.
The length of each piece of the hose will be 3 meters.
Problem 4
A chef has two chocolate bars, one 3 cm and the other 18 cm long. He wants to cut them into the longest possible equal pieces, without any chocolate left over. What should be the length of each piece?
The chef needs the longest piece of chocolate GCF of 3 and 18 3 = 3.
The longest length of each piece is 3 cm.
Explanation
To find the longest length of each piece of the two chocolate bars, 3 cm and 18 cm, respectively.
We have to find the GCF of 3 and 18, which is 3 cm.
The longest length of each piece is 3 cm.
Problem 5
If the GCF of 3 and ‘b’ is 3, and the LCM is 18. Find ‘b’.
The value of ‘b’ is 18.
Explanation
GCF x LCM = product of the numbers
3 × 18 = 3 × b
54 = 3b
b = 54 ÷ 3 = 18
FAQs on the Greatest Common Factor of 3 and 18
1.What is the LCM of 3 and 18?
2.Is 18 divisible by 3?
3.What will be the GCF of any two prime numbers?
4.What is the prime factorization of 18?
5.Are 3 and 18 prime numbers?
6.How can families in United States create number-rich environments to improve GCF of 3 and 18 skills?
7.What are some fun ways kids in United States can practice GCF of 3 and 18 with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and GCF of 3 and 18 play in helping children in United States develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can children in United States use numbers in everyday life to understand GCF of 3 and 18?
Important Glossaries for GCF of 3 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, 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 9 is 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 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.
