Step 1 :
Divide $ 74 $ by $ 18 $ and get the remainder

$$ 74 : 18 = 4 \text{ ( remainder is } \color{blue}{ 2 } \text{ ) } $$

The remainder is positive ($ 2 > 0 $), so we will continue with division.

Step 2 :
Divide $ 18 $ by $ \color{blue}{ 2 } $ and get the remainder

$$ 18 : \color{blue}{ \boxed { 2 }} = 9 \text{ ( remainder is } \color{blue}{ 0 } \text{ ) } $$

The remainder is zero => GCD is the last divisor $ \color{blue}{ \boxed { 2 }} $.

This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.

The GCD equals the product of the numbers at the intersection.

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