The GCF of two numbers is 850. Neither number is divisible by the other. What is the smallest that these two numbers could be?

Question

This is the math problem that I have been stuck on for a while. I could use some step by step help please?

Answer 1

I began by dividing 850 by 1, then 2, then 3, and so on, and I made a list of the whole numbers.

 

They were 1, 2, 5, 10, 17, 25, 34, 50, 85, 170, 425, and 850

 

By inspection, the two smallest numbers which when multiplied together yielded 850 were 25 and 34.

Answer 2

You're saying GCF which means greatest common factor. Do you mean LCM or least common multiple ?

If you mean greatest common factor, then multiply 850 by 2 and by 3.

2*850=1700

3*850=2550

1700=2*2*5*5*17

2550=2*3*5*5*17

the GCF is 2*5*5*17=850 and the smallest is 1700 and 2550 is not divisible by 1700

If you meant LCM, then look at the other solution.