The GCD of given numbers is 34.
Step 1 : Find prime factorization of each number.
$$\begin{aligned}1496 =& 2\cdot2\cdot2\cdot11\cdot17\\[8pt]34 =& 2\cdot17\\[8pt]\end{aligned}$$(view steps on how to factor 1496 and 34. )
Step 2 : Put a box around factors that are common for all numbers:
$$\begin{aligned}1496 =& \color{blue}{\boxed{2}}\cdot2\cdot2\cdot11\cdot\color{red}{\boxed{17}}\\[8pt]34 =& \color{blue}{\boxed{2}}\cdot\color{red}{\boxed{17}}\\[8pt]\end{aligned}$$Step 3 : Multiply the boxed numbers together:
$$ GCD = 2\cdot17 = 34 $$This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The GCD equals the product of the numbers at the intersection.