word problem I dont know how to help my daughter

Question

a florist has 16 roses 20 daises and 24 carnations she needs to put a equal number of flowers into each vase what is the greatest number of vases that can be arranged so there will be no flowers left over

 

Answer 1

Hi Lanette

 

Let's set this up.

What are the possible factors of each of the numbers of flowers?

 

16 Roses --> (1,16), (2,8), (4,4)

20 Daisies --> (1,20), (2,10), (4,5)

24 Carnations --> (1,24), (2,12), (3,8), (4,6)

 

Notice the largest factor that is common to all 3 is a 4, so the maximum number of vases that can be arranged so there will be no flowers left over is 4

Each of the 4 vases will have

4 roses

5 daisies

6 carnations

 

Hope this helps.