GCF of 86 and 42
2026-02-28 08:34 Diff
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Last updated on September 9, 2025

The GCF is the largest number that can divide two or more numbers without leaving any remainder. GCF is used to share items equally, to group or arrange items, and schedule events. In this topic, we will learn about the GCF of 86 and 42.

What is the GCF of 86 and 42?

The greatest common factor of 86 and 42 is 2. The largest divisor of two or more numbers is called the GCF of the numbers.

If two numbers are co-prime, they have no common factors other than 1, so their GCF is 1. The GCF of two numbers cannot be negative because divisors are always positive.

How to find the GCF of 86 and 42?

To find the GCF of 86 and 42, a few methods are described below

  • Listing Factors
     
  • Prime Factorization
     
  • Long Division Method / by Euclidean Algorithm

GCF of 86 and 42 by Using Listing of factors

Steps to find the GCF of 86 and 42 using the listing of factors

Step 1: Firstly, list the factors of each number Factors of 86 = 1, 2, 43, 86. Factors of 42 = 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, 42.

Step 2: Now, identify the common factors of them Common factors of 86 and 42: 1, 2.

Step 3: Choose the largest factor The largest factor that both numbers have is 2. The GCF of 86 and 42 is 2.

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GCF of 86 and 42 Using Prime Factorization

To find the GCF of 86 and 42 using the Prime Factorization Method, follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the prime factors of each number Prime Factors of 86: 86 = 2 x 43 Prime Factors of 42: 42 = 2 x 3 x 7

Step 2: Now, identify the common prime factors The common prime factor is: 2

Step 3: Multiply the common prime factors The GCF of 86 and 42 is 2.

GCF of 86 and 42 Using Division Method or Euclidean Algorithm Method

Find the GCF of 86 and 42 using the division method or Euclidean Algorithm Method. Follow these steps:

Step 1: First, divide the larger number by the smaller number Here, divide 86 by 42 86 ÷ 42 = 2 (quotient), The remainder is calculated as 86 − (42×2) = 2 The remainder is 2, not zero, so continue the process

Step 2: Now divide the previous divisor (42) by the previous remainder (2) Divide 42 by 2 42 ÷ 2 = 21 (quotient), remainder = 42 − (2×21) = 0 The remainder is zero, the divisor will become the GCF. The GCF of 86 and 42 is 2.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in GCF of 86 and 42

Finding GCF of 86 and 42 looks simple, but students often make mistakes while calculating the GCF. Here are some common mistakes to be avoided by the students.

Problem 1

A teacher has 86 notebooks and 42 markers. She wants to group them into equal sets, with the largest number of items in each group. How many items will be in each group?

Okay, lets begin

We should find GCF of 86 and 42 GCF of 86 and 42 2 There are 2 equal groups 86 ÷ 2 = 43 42 ÷ 2 = 21 There will be 2 groups, and each group gets 43 notebooks and 21 markers.

Explanation

As the GCF of 86 and 42 is 2, the teacher can make 2 groups.

Now divide 86 and 42 by 2.

Each group gets 43 notebooks and 21 markers.

Well explained 👍

Problem 2

A school has 86 red chairs and 42 blue chairs. They want to arrange them in rows with the same number of chairs in each row, using the largest possible number of chairs per row. How many chairs will be in each row?

Okay, lets begin

GCF of 86 and 42 2 So each row will have 2 chairs.

Explanation

There are 86 red and 42 blue chairs.

To find the total number of chairs in each row, we should find the GCF of 86 and 42.

There will be 2 chairs in each row.

Well explained 👍

Problem 3

A tailor has 86 meters of red ribbon and 42 meters of blue ribbon. She wants to cut both ribbons into pieces of equal length, using the longest possible length. What should be the length of each piece?

Okay, lets begin

For calculating the longest equal length, we have to calculate the GCF of 86 and 42 The GCF of 86 and 42 2 The ribbon is 2 meters long.

Explanation

For calculating the longest length of the ribbon, first, we need to calculate the GCF of 86 and 42 which is 2.

The length of each piece of the ribbon will be 2 meters.

Well explained 👍

Problem 4

A carpenter has two wooden planks, one 86 cm long and the other 42 cm long. He wants to cut them into the longest possible equal pieces, without any wood left over. What should be the length of each piece?

Okay, lets begin

The carpenter needs the longest piece of wood GCF of 86 and 42 2 The longest length of each piece is 2 cm.

Explanation

To find the longest length of each piece of the two wooden planks, 86 cm and 42 cm, respectively.

We have to find the GCF of 86 and 42, which is 2 cm.

The longest length of each piece is 2 cm.

Well explained 👍

Problem 5

If the GCF of 86 and ‘a’ is 2, and the LCM is 1806. Find ‘a’.

Okay, lets begin

The value of ‘a’ is 42.

Explanation

GCF x LCM = product of the numbers

2 × 1806 = 86 × a

3612 = 86a

a = 3612 ÷ 86 = 42

Well explained 👍

FAQs on the Greatest Common Factor of 86 and 42

1.What is the LCM of 86 and 42?

The LCM of 86 and 42 is 1806.

2.Is 86 divisible by 2?

Yes, 86 is divisible by 2 because it is an even number.

3.What will be the GCF of any two prime numbers?

The common factor of prime numbers is 1 and the number itself. Since 1 is the only common factor of any two prime numbers, it is said to be the GCF of any two prime numbers.

4.What is the prime factorization of 42?

The prime factorization of 42 is 2 x 3 x 7.

5.Are 86 and 42 prime numbers?

No, 86 and 42 are not prime numbers because both of them have more than two factors.

Important Glossaries for GCF of 86 and 42

  • Factors: Factors are numbers that divide the target number completely. For example, the factors of 42 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 42.
  • Multiple: Multiples are the products we get by multiplying a given number by another. For example, the multiples of 7 are 7, 14, 21, 28, and so on.
  • Prime Factors: These are the factors of a number that are prime numbers and divide the given number completely. For example, the prime factors of 42 are 2, 3, and 7.
  • Remainder: The value left after division when the number cannot be divided evenly. For example, when 86 is divided by 42, the remainder is 2 and the quotient is 2.
  • LCM: The smallest common multiple of two or more numbers is termed LCM. For example, the LCM of 86 and 42 is 1806.

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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.