Find the HCF of 24, 30 and 42.
6
12
15
20
$\therefore \quad$ Factors of $24=2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3=\left(2^3 \times 3^1\right)$
Factors of $30=2 \times 3 \times 5=\left(2^1 \times 3^1 \times 5^1\right)$
Factors of $42=2 \times 3 \times 7=\left(2^1 \times 3^1 \times 7^1\right)$
$\therefore \quad$ The product of common prime factors with the least powers $=2^1 \times 3^1=6$