What is the greatest common factor (GCF) of 12 and 18?

To find the greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers, it is essential to identify the largest number that divides both of them without leaving a remainder.

First, consider the factors of each number. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18.

Next, we look for the common factors from both sets: the numbers that appear in both lists are 1, 2, 3, and 6. Among these, the largest one is 6.

Therefore, the GCF of 12 and 18 is 6, making it the correct answer. Additionally, understanding the process of identifying factors allows for a deeper comprehension of numerical relationships, which is valuable in various aspects of mathematics.