Question: what is a prime factorization of 12 and 36?
Answer: The prime factorization of 12 is: 2 x 2 x 3. The prime factorization of 36 is: 2 x 2 x 3 x 3. The prime factors and multiplicities 12 and 36 have in common are: 2 x 2 x 3. 2 x 2 x 3 is the gcf of 12 and 36.