To find the greatest common factor (GCF) of 46 and 69, we can use the prime factorization method.
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Prime factorization of 46:
- 46 is divisible by 2 (the smallest prime number): \[ 46 \div 2 = 23 \]
- 23 is a prime number.
- Therefore, the prime factorization of 46 is: \[ 46 = 2 \times 23 \]
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Prime factorization of 69:
- 69 is divisible by 3 (the sum of its digits, 6 + 9 = 15, is divisible by 3): \[ 69 \div 3 = 23 \]
- Therefore, the prime factorization of 69 is: \[ 69 = 3 \times 23 \]
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Finding the GCF:
- The only common prime factor between 46 and 69 is 23.
Thus, the greatest common factor (GCF) of 46 and 69 is: \[ \boxed{23} \]