ep 3: Find the product of the common factors from Step 2. This number is the GCF The GCF is \( 3 \cdot 3=\square \)

The product of the common factors, \(3 \cdot 3\), equals \(9\). So, the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers you were analyzing is \(9\). This means that \(9\) is the largest number that divides both original numbers without leaving a remainder. Understanding the GCF can be quite beneficial in simplifying fractions or solving problems related to ratios! Did you know that finding the GCF goes way back to ancient times? The Greeks used the method of prime factorization as early as 300 BCE in their mathematical studies to solve problems related to divisors. This ancient technique laid the groundwork for modern number theory and is still taught today, ensuring that the legacy of GCF calculation continues in classrooms around the world!