There are 40 girls and 32 boys If each team must have the same number of boys and girls what is the greatest number of teams that can race

Question

There are 40 girls and 32 boys who want to do a relay race. If each team must have the same number of boys and girls what is the greatest number of teams that can race

Answer 1

A factor is a number that is multiplied to give the result.

 

The Greatest Common Factor is the largest number that is a factor of the values considered.

 

In terns of Prime Factors,

   40 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 5

   32 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2

 

These two values share (2*2*2), so that is the GCF.  The GCF=8.

 

  There can be, at most, 8 teams   (note: with 5 girls and 4 boys, the other factor for each value, on each team).