ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Common factors theory

Imagine you have 2 cupcakes and 4 cookies. The cupcakes and cookies have something in common - they are both desserts! This is kind of like common factors theory.

In math, we use common factors theory to figure out what numbers have something in common. For example, let's say we have the numbers 12 and 18. We want to figure out what numbers they have in common.

First, we need to find all the factors of 12. Factors are numbers that can be multiplied together to make the number you started with. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

Then, we need to find all the factors of 18. The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18.

Now we look for the numbers these two lists have in common. The numbers they have in common are 1, 2, 3, and 6.

So, the common factors of 12 and 18 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Common factors theory can be helpful when we're trying to simplify fractions. For example, if we have the fraction 12/18, we can divide the top and bottom by one of the common factors - let's say 6. This gives us the simplified fraction of 2/3.

Overall, common factors theory is a way of seeing what numbers have something in common so we can simplify, solve problems, or understand patterns.