Question

explain how to find the greatest number of identical arrangements that can be made with 54 roses and 42 tulips with no flowers left over.

Answer 1

Work out the Greatest Common Factor for both numbers

54                                         42
1×54                                   1×42
2×27                                  2×21
3×18                                   3×14
6×9                                    6×7

The common factors are: 1, 2, 3 and 6

The greatest common factor is 6

There are 6 identical arrangements that can be made

Answer 2

List the factors of each number. Then circle the common factors. Finally, identify the greatest of the common factors. The GCF of 54 and 42 is 6.