Answer: 12
Step-by-step explanation:
Prime factorization of 36:
36 = 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 = 2^2 * 3^2
Prime factorization of 24:
24 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 = 2^3 * 3
Now, let's identify the common prime factors:
Both 36 and 24 have 2 and 3 as prime factors.
Multiplying the common prime factors, we get the highest common factor of 36 and 24 is 12.