Skip to content
← All questions

How do you compute the greatest common divisor of 5295 and 4321 step by step?

To compute gcd⁡(5295,4321)\gcd(5295, 4321), apply the Euclidean algorithm by repeatedly dividing the previous divisor by the previous remainder. Start with 5295=1⋅4321+9745295 = 1 \cdot 4321 + 974. Then 4321=4⋅974+4254321 = 4 \cdot 974 + 425. Continue this process: 974=2⋅425+124974 = 2 \cdot 425 + 124, 425=3⋅124+53425 = 3 \cdot 124 + 53, 124=2⋅53+18124 = 2 \cdot 53 + 18, 53=2⋅18+1753 = 2 \cdot 18 + 17, 18=1⋅17+118 = 1 \cdot 17 + 1, and finally 17=17⋅1+017 = 17 \cdot 1 + 0. The last nonzero remainder is 1, so the gcd is 1.

Conditions

  • The inputs are 5295 and 4321.
  • The Euclidean algorithm is used.
  • The division algorithm is applied at each step.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. 5295=1⋅4321+9745295 = 1 \cdot 4321 + 974
  2. 4321=4⋅974+4254321 = 4 \cdot 974 + 425
  3. 974=2⋅425+124974 = 2 \cdot 425 + 124
  4. 425=3⋅124+53425 = 3 \cdot 124 + 53
  5. 124=2⋅53+18124 = 2 \cdot 53 + 18
  6. 53=2⋅18+1753 = 2 \cdot 18 + 17
  7. 18=1⋅17+118 = 1 \cdot 17 + 1
  8. 17=17⋅1+017 = 17 \cdot 1 + 0
  9. Identify the last nonzero remainder: 1.
  10. Conclude gcd⁡(5295,4321)=1\gcd(5295, 4321) = 1.

Example

The board shows the full chain of divisions from 5295 down to 17=17⋅1+017=17\cdot1+0. The instructor writes "=1" next to the original prompt "Ex: Find gcd⁡(5295,4321)\gcd(5295,4321)".

Common misconceptions

  • Making arithmetic errors in the long division steps.
  • Stopping before the remainder is 0, although reaching 1 is sufficient to know the gcd is 1.
  • Confusing the order of dividend and divisor in each step.

Watch the explanation

Connected concepts

Explore next

Related questions

Understand why

↗
Find a method

↗
Find a method

↗
Find a method

↗
Understand why

↗

Answers are generated from source material and independently checked. Consult the original video or creator if something is unclear.