GCF & LCM Word Problems

Carlos has 36 tomato plants and 81 pepper plants to place in rows. Each row must have the same number of each plant and he must have no plants left over. What is the largest number of rows Carlos can make?

• At most, he can make 6 rows.

• At most, he can make 8 rows

• At most, he can make 9 rows.

• At most, he can make 12 rows.

• The answer is not given.

Hot dogs come in packs of 10, while hot dog buns come in packs of 12. You would like to buy enough of each (hot dogs and buns) so that when you put together the hog dogs with the buns, you have nothing left over. What is the least number of hot dog/buns you can make?

• 36

• 48

• 52

• 60

Hot dogs come in packs of 10, while hot dog buns come in packs of 12. You would like to buy enough of each (hot dogs and buns) so that when you put together the hog dogs with the buns, you have nothing left over. What is the least packs of hot dogs and buns you can buy?

• 3 packs of hot dogs and 3 packs of buns

• 4 packs of hot dogs and 6 packs of buns

• 6 packs of hot dogs and 5 packs of buns

• 8 packs of hot dogs and 10 packs of buns

Tony needs to ship 12 comedy DVDs, 24 animated DVDs, and 30 musicals. He can pack only one type of DVD in each box and he must pack the same number of DVDs in each box. What is the greatest number of DVDs Tony can pack in each box? Do I find the GCF or the LCM?

• GCF

• LCM

At Kentucky Fried Chicken, the kitchen staff baked 96 chicken legs, 144 thighs, and 224 wings. The staff had to prepare platters for a catered lunch at an office. Each platter will have the same number of legs, thighs, and wings. How many platters can the staff make if they want the greatest number of chicken pieces on each platter?

• LCM

• GCF

Belinda babysits her neighbor’s children in the evening every 14 days. Belinda goes to visit her grandmother in the afternoon every 21 days. Belinda has both activities planned for today. Will Belinda have both activities again on the same day within 30 days? Explain your reasoning.

• Yes, because 14 and 21 have a common multiple within 30 days.

• No, because 14 and 21 do not have a common multiple within 30 days.

• Yes, because both activities will always coincide every 14 days.

• No, because both activities will never coincide again.

The school cafeteria serves tacos every sixth day and cheeseburgers every eight day. How many days will it be before they are both on the menu?

Do I find the GCF or the LCM?

• GCF

• LCM

Colton has 16 blue marbles and 8 white ones. If he wants to place them in identical groups without any marbles left over, what is the maximum amount of groups Colton can make? Do I find the GCF or the LCM?

• GCF

• LCM

Wilma is thinking of a number that is divisible by both 17 and 8. What is the smallest possible number that Wilma could be thinking of? Do I find the GCF or the LCM?

• GCF

• LCM

The school cafeteria serves tacos every sixth day and cheeseburgers every eight day. If tacos and cheeseburgers are both on today’s menu, how many days will it be before they are both on the menu again?

• 14 days

• 24 days

• 34 days

• 44 days