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Find the HCF of 96 and 404 using the prime factorization method

Question: Find out the HCF of 96 and 404 using the prime factorization method.

Answer: HCF stands for Highest Common Factor and the HCF of two numbers represents the largest possible number that will be able to divide the two numbers exactly without any remainder. 

Firstly, Prime Factorization is the method of expressing a particular number as a product of its prime factors.

Now, coming to the solution to the problem:

Given numbers: 96 and 404.

Requirement: Represent 96 and 404 as a product of its prime factors.

The prime factorization of 96 is 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 

Prime factorization of 404 is 2 × 2 × 101

HCF is the product of the factors that are common to each of 96 and 404 respectively.

Because the common factors are 2 and 2, the HCF of 96 and 404 will be 4.