HCF of: 72 and 100

To find the HCF (Highest Common Factor) of 72 and 100, we can start by breaking both numbers down into their prime factors. 72 can be factorized as 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 1 (or 2³ × 3¹). 100 can be factorized as 2 × 2 × 5 × 5 (or 2² × 5²). Now, we take the lowest power of the common prime factor, which is 2. The lowest power is 2². So, the HCF of 72 and 100 is 4! Now that you have the HCF, it's also fun to think about how this concept plays out in real life! For example, when planning a party and trying to divide items evenly among guests, knowing the HCF can help you figure out how many items each person can get without any leftovers! Also, when working with HCF, a common mistake is forgetting to consider all the prime factors! It's important to ensure you've correctly identified the lowest power of each prime in both numbers. Don’t rush the factorization process; take your time to avoid missing a factor or miscalculating!