GCF

Units & Measurements abbreviation · Math

GCF stands for Greatest common factor, a math abbreviation.

The name US elementary and middle schools use for the greatest common divisor: the largest number that is a factor of every number in a set. The GCF of 12 and 18 is 6, which is used to simplify fractions and factor expressions.

Example: Factor out the GCF: 6x² + 9x = 3x(2x + 3).

Usage notes

Students find it by listing factors or by prime factorization, taking the lowest power of each shared prime. In algebra, factoring out the GCF is the first step in factoring a polynomial. For two numbers, GCF × LCM equals their product, a shortcut often used on tests.

Related abbreviations

More math abbreviations

• det – Determinant
• dim – Dimension
• exp – Exponential function
• FOIL – First, Outer, Inner, Last
• FTC – Fundamental theorem of calculus
• GCD – Greatest common divisor
• HCF – Highest common factor
• HL – Hypotenuse-Leg (congruence)
• iff – If and only if
• Im – Imaginary part
• inf – Infimum
• IVT – Intermediate value theorem

See all 91 math abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.