GREATEST COMMON FACTOR

GREATEST COMMON FACTOR ( GCF )	LEAST COMMON MULTIPLE (LCM) or LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR ( LCD )
BRING DOWN COMMON FACTORS ONLY	BRING DOWN ALL FACTORS
24 = 2 X 2 X 2 X 3	24 = 2 X 2 X 2 X 3
36 = 2 X 2 X 3 X 3	36 = 2 X 2 X 3 X 3
48 = 2 X 2 X 2 X 3 X 2	48 = 2 X 2 X 2 X 3 X 2
2 X 2 X 3 = 12	2 X 2 X 2 X 3 X 3 X 2 = 144
Factor = breaking down; you are looking for a number equal to or smaller than the lowest number in the group.	Multiple = increasing/larger; the LCM will be equal to the largest number in the group or larger than all the numbers.