The GCD of given numbers is 2.
Step 1 : Find prime factorization of each number.
$$\begin{aligned}18 =& 2\cdot3\cdot3\\[8pt]56 =& 2\cdot2\cdot2\cdot7\\[8pt]\end{aligned}$$(view steps on how to factor 18 and 56. )
Step 2 : Put a box around factors that are common for all numbers:
$$\begin{aligned}18 =& \color{blue}{\boxed{2}}\cdot3\cdot3\\[8pt]56 =& \color{blue}{\boxed{2}}\cdot2\cdot2\cdot7\\[8pt]\end{aligned}$$Step 3 : Multiply the boxed numbers together:
$$ GCD = 2 $$This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The GCD equals the product of the numbers at the intersection.