A factor is a term which exactly divides another term.

The highest common factor of two or more terms which can be divided by all other possible common factors.

HCF is an abbreviation for highest common factor.

Factorise means to express a term as the product of its factors.

Highest common factor with algebraic terms

Maths

In this unit, pupils formalise algebraic notation and terms and begin to formulate an understanding of basic algebraic manipulation. This understanding is built upon in the future unit where pupils learn how to solve linear equations

In this unit, pupils learnt how to represent the structure of a problem with two unknowns using a diagram. This understanding is built upon in this unit and formalised

Expressions and equations

HCF is an abbreviation of Highest {{ }} Factor.

$$3, 6, 9, y, 3y, 6y, 9y, y^2, 3y^2, 9y^2$$

$$1, 2, 3, 6, x, 2x, 3x, 6x, xy, 2xy, 3xy, 6xy$$

List all of the common factors of $$6xy$$ and $$18xz$$.

Match the pairs of terms to their Highest Common Factor.

Use the Venn Diagram to find the HCF of $$20abc^2$$ and $$25a^2c^3$$

$$1, 5, x, y, xy, 5x, 5y$$ and $$5xy$$ are all  __________ of the algebraic term $$5xy$$

What is the Highest Common Factor of 16 and 20?

Select all the expressions which are always equal to $$12xy^2z$$

Use this Venn Diagram to find the HCF of 84 and 462.  

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Highest common factor with algebraic terms

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.