![\"\"](\"http://www.mathskey.com/userfiles/image/steps_images/step1.JPG\")
Method 1:
\List the factors of each number.
\Factors of 12 : 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
\Factors of 36 : 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
\Identify the greatest common factor.
\The greatest common factor of 12 and 36 is 12.![\"\"](\"http://www.mathskey.com/userfiles/image/steps_images/step2.JPG\")
Method 2:
\Write the prime factorization of each number.
\12 = 2 × 2 × 3.
\36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3.
\The GCF is the product of the common prime factors in each number.
\GCF = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12.
\The greatest common factor of 12 and 36 is 12.![\"\"](\"http://www.mathskey.com/userfiles/image/steps_images/solution.JPG\")
The greatest common factor of 12 and 36 is 12.