Date: ______/______/ 2009 Marks

Worksheet 2: Factors and Multiples (HCF and LCM)

1 Basic Question

Given that 198 = 2 × 32 × 11, and 90 = 2 × 32 × 5 ,

find
(a) the LCM of 198 and 90.
(b) the smallest integer, k, such that 198k is a perfect square.

Solution:

(a) LCM = 2 × 32 × 5 ×11 (b) 198k = 2 × 32 × 11× k

= 990 ∴ k = 2 × 11
= 22
[Xin Min Sec/2007]
Ans: (a) 990 (b) 22

2 Intermediate Question

Find the highest common factor (HCF) and lowest common multiple (LCM) of 1 260
and 2 3 × 3 × 7 2 × 112 . Express your answers in index notation.

Solution:

1260 = 2 2 × 32 × 5 × 7
and 23 × 3 × 7 2 × 112
HCF = 22 × 3 × 7
LCM = 23 × 32 × 5 × 7 2 × 112
[Cedar Girls’ Sec School/2008]
Ans: HCF = 2 × 3 × 7 , LCM = 23 × 32 × 5 × 7 2 × 112
2

3 Intermediate Question

Three ribbons of lengths 160 cm, 192 cm and 240 cm respectively are to be cut into a
number of equal lengths without any leftover. Find
(a) the greatest possible length of each piece and
(b) the total number of pieces cut from the three ribbons.

Solution: 2 160 192 240

2 80 96 120
Greatest possible length = 16 cm 2 40 48 60
2 20 24 30
Total number of pieces = 10 + 12 + 15
10 12 15
= 37
Ans: (a) 16 cm (b) 37

© Victoria School Math Department

4 Advance Question

Given that a = 22 × 33 × 54 and b = 32 × 4 2 × 52 , find

(i) the HCF and
(ii) the LCM of a and b.

Solution:

a = 22 × 33 × 54
b = 24 × 32 × 52 since 42 = (2 × 2) 2 = 24

∴ HCF = 22 × 32 × 52
= 900
∴ LCM = 24 × 33 × 54
= 270000
Ans: (a) 900 (b) 270 000

5 Advance Question

At East Coast Park, BBQ pits are found at intervals of 6 metres along the beach.
At every interval of 8 metres and 15 metres, there is a bench and lamp post
respectively. At the beginning of the beach, all the three objects are in line and the
BBQ pit number is 1.
(a) At what distance will all the objects appear in line for the second time? What is
the BBQ pit number when this happens?
(b) If the stretch of beach is half a kilometers long, how many times will all the
objects appear in line?

Solution:

(a) LCM of 6, 8 and 15 = 120

They will be in line at every 120m.
120
It will be at Pit number = + 1 = 21
6

(b) At 500 m, the objects will appear for

500
= +1
120
≈ 4 +1
= 5 times

Ans: (a) 120 m, 21 (b) 5

© Victoria School Math Department