- **Finding the HCF of 8, 15, and 21**
Finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF) of 8, 15, and 21 involves identifying the largest number that divides all three numbers without leaving a remainder. Here's how you can find the HCF:
- **Prime Factorization Method**
1. **Prime Factorization of each number:**
- 8 = 2 x 2 x 2
- 15 = 3 x 5
- 21 = 3 x 7
2. **Identify the common prime factors:**
- The common prime factors among all three numbers are 3.
3. **Multiply the common prime factors:**
- HCF = 3
Therefore, the HCF of 8, 15, and 21 is 3. This is because 3 is the largest number that can divide all three numbers without leaving a remainder.
Using the Prime Factorization method is an efficient way to find the HCF of multiple numbers as it helps in identifying the common factors and determining the highest common factor.