Suppose certain periodical insects emerge in large numbers from their larval stage at intervals in years that are prime numbers, 23 or 37. What is the GCF of the years?

Answer 1

To find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the years that are prime numbers, we can analyze the primes given: 23 and 37.

Since 23 and 37 are both prime numbers, they do not have any factors other than 1 and themselves. The only common factor of any two distinct prime numbers is 1.

Thus, the GCF of 23 and 37 is:

\[ \text{GCF}(23, 37) = 1 \]

Therefore, the greatest common factor of the years 23 and 37 is:

\[ \boxed{1} \]