What is the GCF of 2 and 4?

GCF of 2 and 4

Answer: The GCF of 2 and 4 is 2.

Solution: To find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of 2 and 4, we can list the factors of each number and identify the largest factor they have in common.

Step 1: List the factors of the first number, 2.

A factor is a number that divides another number evenly, without leaving a remainder.

The factors of 2 are: $$1, 2$$

Step 2: List the factors of the second number, 4.

The factors of 4 are: $$1, 2, 4$$

Step 3: Identify the common factors from both lists.

The common factors are the numbers that appear in both lists.

Common factors of 2 and 4 are: $$1, 2$$

Step 4: Determine the greatest among the common factors.

The greatest common factor (GCF) is the largest number in the list of common factors.

From the common factors \(1, 2\) , the greatest is 2.

Thus, the GCF of 2 and 4 is 2.

Alternatively, using prime factorization:

Prime factorization of 2: 

\(2^1\)

Prime factorization of 4: 

\(2^2\)

The GCF is found by taking the lowest power of all common prime factors. The only common prime factor is 2, and its lowest power is 

\(2^1 = 2\)

.

Therefore, the GCF of 2 and 4 is 2.