最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)

さいだいこうやくすう
noun
greatest common divisor; common ground
numberscienceabstract
1. greatest common divisor
In mathematics, the largest whole number that divides each of two or more numbers without a remainder.
12と18の最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)は6だ。
The greatest common divisor of 12 and 18 is 6.
最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)を求(もと)めなさい。
Find the greatest common divisor.
分数(ぶんすう)を約分(やくぶん)するときは、分子(ぶんし)と分母(ぶんぼ)の最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)で割(わ)る。
To reduce a fraction, divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.
2. common ground; what everyone can agree on
Figuratively, the points or opinions shared by all members of a group, or a compromise acceptable to everyone. Often implies the result is safe but not bold.
これがみんなの最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)だ。
This is what everyone can agree on.
意見(いけん)の最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)をまとめた。
We put together the common ground among the opinions.
会議(かいぎ)で出(で)た案(あん)は、結局(けっきょく)最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)的(てき)な無難(ぶなん)なものになった。
The plan from the meeting ended up a safe, lowest-common-denominator compromise.

Common collocations

  • 最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)を求(もと)める: to find the greatest common divisor
  • 意見(いけん)の最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう): the common ground among opinions
  • 最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう)的(てき)な: compromise-style, acceptable to all

Watch out

  • English says "lowest common denominator" for a bland compromise, but Japanese uses 最大公約数(さいだいこうやくすう) (greatest common divisor) for the same idea

Related words

  • 最小公倍数(さいしょうこうばいすう): least common multiple
  • 約数(やくすう): divisor

Related Words

Related: 最小公倍数(さいしょうこうばいすう) (least common multiple)
Related: 既約分数(きやくぶんすう) (irreducible fraction)
general
Added 2026.10.10 21:20 · Revised 2026.10.13 9:27
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