LCM and HCF

Least Common Multiple (LCM): Power Rangers:

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers is the Babu goes to stationery with a certain amount of money.
smallest number that is a multiple of all the numbers With this money he can buy either 40 pencils or 30 pens.
He retains 10% of the money for the auto fare and buys 24
Example: LCM of 3 and 4 = 12 because 12 is the smallest pencils. Then the number of pens he can buy is?
multiple which is common to 3 and 4 (In other words, 12 is the
smallest number which is divisible by both 3 and 4) Solution: Speed Math
Take LCM of 40 pencils and 30 pens and answer is Rs.120.
Finding LCM using prime factorization method or division To buy 40 pencils he invests Rs. 120. Thus 1 pencil = Rs.
method: 3
Step1: Express each number as a product of prime factors. To buy 30 pens he invests Rs. 120. Thus 1 pencil = Rs. 4
Step2: LCM = The product of highest powers of all prime 10% for auto fare = 10% of 120 = Rs. 12
factors He buys 24 pencils which costs 24 x 3 – Rs. 72.
Thus amount remaining after purchasing pencils and auto
Example: fare is = 120 – 72 -12 = Rs. 36
Find out LCM of 8 and 14 From Rs. 36, no. of pens he can purchase = 36 / 4 = 9 pens

Step1: Express each number as a product of prime factors. Highest Common Factor (HCF):
8 = 23 Highest Common Factor of two or more numbers is the
14 = 2 × 7 greatest number which divides each of them exactly.
Example: HCF of 60 and 75 = 15 because 15 is the highest
Step2: LCM = the product of highest powers of all prime number which divides both 60 and 75 exactly.
factors
Here the prime factors are 2 and 7 Finding HCF using prime factorization method or division
The highest power of 2 here = 23 method
The highest power of 7 here = 7 Step1: Express each number as a product of prime factors.
Hence LCM = 23 × 7 = 56 Step2: HCF is the product of all common prime factors using
the least power of each common prime factor.
Power Rangers: Example:
Using quotient (fraction) Find out HCF of 60 and 75
Example 1: Find the HCF and LCM of 120 and 36 Step1: Express each number as a product of prime factors.
60 = 22 × 3 × 5
Answer: To find the HCF and LCM we make a fraction - 75 = 3 × 52
smaller number is the top, bigger number is the bottom - Step2: HCF is the product of all common prime factors using
and simplify as much as we can: the least power of each common prime factor.
36 3 Here, common prime factors are 3 and 5
=
120 10
The least power of 3 here = 3
Then,
The least power of 5 here = 5
HCF=36/3 or 120/10. Both calculations produce HCF=12
Hence, HCF = 3 × 5 = 15
LCM = 36 x 10 or 120 x 3.
Both calculations produce LCM=360
How to find out HCF using prime factorization method -
By dividing the numbers (shortcut)
Finding LCM using Division Method (shortcut)
Step1: Write the given numbers in a horizontal line separated
Step1: Write the given numbers in a horizontal line separated
by commas.
by commas.
Step2: Divide the given numbers by the smallest prime
Step2: Divide the given numbers by the smallest prime
number which can exactly divide all of the given numbers.
number which can exactly divide at least two of the given
Step3: Write the quotients in a line below the first.
numbers.
Step4: Repeat the process until we reach a stage where no
Step3: Write the quotients and undivided numbers in a line
common prime factor exists for all of the numbers.
below the first.
Step5: We can see that the factors mentioned in the left side
Step4: Repeat the process until we reach a stage where no
clearly divides all the numbers exactly and they are common
prime factor is common to any two numbers in the row.
prime factors. Their product is the HCF
Step5: LCM = The product of all the divisors and the numbers
in the last line.
Example:
Find out HCF of 60 and 75
Example:
Find out LCM of 8 and 14
3 60,75
2 8,14
5 20,25
4, 7
Hence Least common multiple (L.C.M) of 8 and 14 = 2 × 4 × 7 4, 5
= 56

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 LCM and HCF

We can see that the prime factors mentioned in the left side 6. If the sum of two numbers is 3600 and their HCF is 225 then
clearly divides all the numbers exactly and they are common the two possible numbers are?
prime factors. No common prime factor is exists for the A.1800, 1800 B. 2475, 1129
numbers came at the bottom. C. 2127, 1473 D. 675, 2925
Hence HCF = 3 × 5 =15.
7. There are three numbers which are co-prime to each other
Power Rangers: such that the product of the first and second number is 517
A red light flashes three times per min. and a green light and the product of the second and third number is 893. What
flashes five times in 2 min. at a regular intervals. If both is the sum of the three numbers?
lights start flashing at the same time, how many times do A. 23 B. 77 C. 47 D. 39
they flash together in each hour?
Directions for question 8 & 9: The sum of two numbers is 43
Solution: Speed Math and the product of their HCF and LCM is 372.
A red light flashes three times per min. = 60 / 3 = 20 sec. 8. Find the (LCM, HCF)?
(20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120) A. (31, 12) B. (12, 21) C. (18, 31) D. None of these
A green light flashes five times in 2 min. = 120 / 5 = 24 sec.
(24, 48, 72, 96, 120) 3 6 16
9. How many times of HCF, of their fractions , , , is their
Now, we know that every 120 times, the lights are flashing 14 35 21
together. LCM?
In every hour they will flash 3600/120 = 30 times A. 1440 B. 144 C. 210 D. 48

10. There are 315, 420, 1155 boy of three different schools
EXERCISE: taking part in an essay competition. What is the minimum
1. The product of LCM and HCF of two numbers is number of rooms required such that all room have equal
12960. If one of the numbers is 60, find the other number? number of students and each room has students of same
A. 126 B. 216 C. 276 D. 352 school?
A. 12 B. 14 C. 16 D. 18
2. What is the ratio of LCM to HCF of 53 ×24 ×137 ×35 , 135 ×37 ,
11. Three numbers are in the ratio 2:3:5 and their LCM is
52 ×21 ×33 ? 5400. Find the HCF?
A. 53 ×24 ×34 ×137 B. 52 ×24 ×37 ×135 A. 40 B. 32 C. 180 D. 24
C. 53 ×24 ×137 D. 52 × 21 ×33 ×133

12. The product of two numbers is 4624 and their HCF is 17.
Fast forward 1: Choose the figure which is different from the How many such pairs are possible?
rest. A. 2 B. 1 C. 3 D. 5

Fast forward 2: Choose the alternative which is closely

resembles the mirror image of the given combination.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Direction for questions 3 & 4: Refer the following data to

answer the question below
A shopkeeper has 486 chalks and 648 dusters, which are to
be stocked in box such that there is equal number of items in Directions for question 13 & 14: Refer the following data to
each box. It should be noted that each box contains either answer the question below
chalks or dusters. Four whistles are blown at the same time and continue to blow
at regular intervals of 28, 42, 48, 56 seconds respectively.
3. If the shopkeeper wants to stock the items in the least 13. What is the least time after which all the whistles are blown
number of boxes, then how many items must he keep in each together? (In seconds)
box? A. 280 B.460 C. 320 D. 336
A. 27 B. 164 C. 162 D. 175
14. What is the smallest integral number of minutes after
4. What is the least possible number of boxes does the which all the whistle are blown together again?
shopkeeper require to stock the items? A. 168 B. 28 C. 35 D. 56
A. 5 B. 19 C. 7 D. 9
15. Find the least four digit number which when divided by 8,
5. A puzzle has dimensions 112m by 96m. The puzzle is then 9, 12 and 15 leaves a remainder 1 in each case?
divided into minimum number of square pieces. What is the A. 1080 B. 2161 C. 1081 D. 1001
length of each of the square piece (in m)?
A. 16 B. 4 C. 6 D. 18 16. The greatest number that will divide 187, 233 and 279
leaving same remainder in each case is?
A. 42 B. 4 C. 56 D. 46

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 LCM and HCF

17. What is the least number which when divided by 16, 18, 5. Factorizing 96 = 25 * 31
20 and 25 leaves remainder 4 in each case but when divided Similarly for 112 = 24 * 71
by 7 leaves no remainder? HCF of (96,112) = 24 = 16 (m)
A. 18004 B. 1804 C. 17054 D. 184 Hence the correct answer is option A

18. Find the HCF of 4×27×3125, 8×y×25×7, 16×81×5×11 6. Let the two numbers be X and Y
A. 360 always. Then, X + Y=3600
B. 180 if y is a multiple of 9 but not 27. And HCF = 225
C. 140 if y is not a multiple of 3. 225 * (x + y) = 3600
D. 240 if y is any multiple of 3. X+Y = 3600/225 = 16
16
19. What is the greatest number that divides 20, 50 and 40
leaving remainder 2, 5 and 4?
A. 8 B. 15 C. 36 D. 9
11 5
20. Find the largest four digit number, which when divided by 13 3
the numbers 6, 9, 12 and 17 leaves the remainder 5, 8, 11 and Here 13 and 3 are co-prime to each other.
16 respectively? 3 *225 = 675 and 13 * 225 = 2925
A. 9791 B. 9781 C. 9792 D. 8472 Hence the correct answer is option D

Fast forward 3: Choose the alternative which is closely 7. Let A, B, C be three numbers which are co-prime to each
resembles the water-image of the given combination. other.
A * B = 517
B * C = 893
Factorizing (517) = 11*47
Factorizing (893) = 19*47
Here all the three numbers are co-prime to each other.
The missing term is 47, therefore A=11, B= 47, C=19.
Answer Key: First Number = (517/47) = 11
Second Number = (893/47) = 19
The difference = 47 + 11 + 19 = 77
Hence the correct answer is option B

8. Let the two numbers be x and y.

Sum of two numbers = x+ y =43
Product of two numbers = x*y= 372 = Product of HCF & LCM
Explanatory Answers: We can say, x = 372/y
Substitute the value of x in equation x+ y=43
1. We have HCF * LCM =x * y = 12960 and one of the number We get y2 – 43y + 372 =0
is 60 On solving we get value of y = 12 and y = 31
Therefore we can take 60 as either x or y. Where LCM = 31 and HCF = 12
Here we consider y to be 60. Hence the correct answer is option A
60 * x =12960
x = 216 9. HCF of the fractions = HCF of Numerator/ LCM of
Hence the correct answer is option B Denominator.
LCM of Fractions = LCM of Numerator/ HCF of Denominator.
2. LCM = 53 * 24 * 37 * 137 HCF (3/14, 6/35, 16/21) = 1/ (2*3*5*7)
HCF = 33 LCM of (3/14, 6/35, 16/21) = (24 * 3)/ 7
When we take the ratio of LCM by HCF we get, 53 * 24 * 34 * LCM/HCF = 1440
137 Hence the correct answer is option A
Hence the correct answer is option A
10. Total number of students = 315 + 420 + 1155 =1890.
3. Factorizing 486 = 21 * 35 HCF (315, 420, 1155) = 105
Similarly for 648 = 23 * 34 We have to divide them such that all rooms should have equal
HCF of (486,648) = 21 * 34 = 162. number of students and from same school.
Hence the correct answer is option C 1890/105 = 18.
Hence the correct answer option D
4. Factorizing 486 = 21 * 35
Similarly for 648 = 23 * 34 11. Let the number be 2x, 3x and 5x.
HCF of (486,648) = 21 * 34 = 162 Then their LCM = 30x.
If one box can hold 162 items then 1134 items are equally 30x = 5400
distributed among 7 boxes. x = 180
Hence the correct answer is option C Therefore, the numbers are (2*180), (3*180), (5*180)

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 LCM and HCF

HCF (360, 540, 900) = 180 337500 = 22 * 33 * 55

Hence the correct answer is option C 1400y = 23 * y * 5 * 7
71280 =24 * 34 * 5 * 11
12. Let the two numbers be a and b whose product is 4624. Now the HCF will be 22 * 5 *y if we select y properly.
17a *17b = 4624 Therefore, if y is a multiple of 32 but not 33, then we get
a* b = 16 HCF = 20 * 9 = 180
There are only one such pair (1, 16) where numbers are co- Hence the correct answer is option B
prime.
Hence the correct answer option B 19. Here N divides 20 leaving remainder 2, divides 50 leaving
remainder 5 and divides 40 leaving remainder 4.
13. Factorizing 28, 42, 48, 56 we get, N = HCF (18, 45, 36)
LCM of 28,42,48,56 = 336 18 = 2 * 32
At 336th sec all the 4 whistles blown together. 45 = 22 * 32
Every 336 sec it will happen again. 36 = 32 * 5
So the least time at which all the whistles are blown together HCF = 32 = 9
is 336 sec. Hence the correct answer is option D
Hence the correct answer is option D
20. The difference between the divisor and the remainder is a
14. All the whistles will be blown together at 336, 672, 1008…. constant, 6-5=1; 9-8=1; 12-11=1; 17-16=1.
To get a integer number of minutes, we have to find a number LCM (6, 9, 12, 17)
out of 336,672…, the number which is multiple of 60. 6=2*3
336 = 24 x 3 x 7 9 = 32
= 22 x 12 x 7 12 = 22 * 3
= 60/12 = 5 17 = 17
Now, 336x5 = 1680 sec =28 min. LCM = 22 * 32 * 17 = 612
Hence the correct answer is option B So the number must be of the form 612k-1
The largest 4-digit number is 9999. When we divide 9999/612
15. Factorizing 8, 9, 12 and 15 we get, the remainder is 207.
8 = 23 9999-207 = 9792
9 = 32 9792 – 1 = 9791
12 = 22 * 3 Hence the correct answer option A
15 = 3 * 5
LCM (8, 9, 12, 15) = 360
So the number should be of the form 360k+1.
The least four digit number occurs when k = 3.
360(3) + 1 = 1081
Hence the correct answer option C

16. Here N =HCF (233-187, 279-233, 279-187)

N = HCF (46, 46, 92)
According to the property “the largest number which divides
the number x, y and z resp. , leaving same remainder ‘r’ in
each case – The HCF is(difference of any two : x-y, y-z, z-x)”
So the HCF is 46.
Hence the correct answer is option D

17. Factorizing we get,

16 = 24
18 = 2 * 32
20 = 5 * 22
25 = 52
LCM (16, 18, 20, 25) = 24 * 32 * 52 = 3600
So the number will be of the form 3600k + 4
We need to substitute the value of k such that it should be
completely divisible by 7 leaving no remainder.
We can see that k= 5
So, (3600(5) + 4)/7 = 18004
Hence the correct answer option A

18. 4*27*3125 = 337500

8*y*25*7 = 1400y
16*81*5*11 = 71280
HCF (337500, 1400y, 71280)

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