LCM and HCF

Factor and Multiple

If a number is completely divisible by another number, then the number which divides them is
called the factor of that number.

And the number which is divided is called the multiple of that number.

For example, 3 and 5 are factors of the 15 while 15 is the multiple of the 3 and 5.

Common Multiple
A common multiple of two or more numbers is that number which is completely divisible by
both the numbers, without any remainder.

Least Common Multiple

The least common multiple of two or more provided numbers is the lowest number which can be
divisible by each of them.

Suppose we have two numbers 12 and 18.

The Multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 72,........ and multiples of the 18 are 18, 36, 54, 72……….

So the common multiples of 12 and 18 are 36, 72…..

Therefore, LCM of 12 and 18 is 36.

There are two methods for finding the LCM of provided numbers.

1. Prime Factorisation Method

(i) First break the number into the prime factors.

(ii) After that obtain the product of the highest power of all factors.

(iii) Their product is the required LCM.

2. Division Method

(i) Firstly write all the given numbers in a line by separating them with the comma.

(ii) Divide the number with the prime which is at least divisible by exactly 2 numbers of the
given numbers.
(iii) After that, write the quotient and undivided number in the next line.

(iv) Repeat this process until you get a line in which all numbers are prime to one another.

(v) The required LCM of the numbers is the product of the all divisor and the numbers in the last
line.

LCM of Polynomials
LCM of a polynomial is the polynomial which has the lowest degree that can be divided by all
the given polynomials.

Common Factor
A common factor of two or more numbers is one that can exactly divide all the given numbers.

For example, 4 is the common factor of 4, 12, 16, 32…..

Highest Common Factor

The HCF of provided numbers is simply the greatest factor of all that can divide each of them
exactly.

There are two methods for finding the HCF of provided numbers.

1. Prime Factorisation method

(i) Divide the provided numbers into their prime factors.

(ii) After that, find the product of all the prime factors with the least power common to all the
multiples.

(iii) Next, HCF is the product of the common prime factors.

2. Division Method

(i) Divide the larger number by the smaller number in provided numbers.

(ii) Next, divide the divisor by the remainder of the larger number.

(iii) Repeat the above step until the remainder becomes zero and HCF is the last divisor.

HCF of Polynomial
The HCF of the polynomial is the highest degree polynomial which can divide each of the given
polynomials.
LCM and HCF of fractions
Numerator ' s LCM
LCM of fractions=
Denominator ' s HCF

Numerator ' s HCF

And HCF of fractions=
Denominator ' s LCM

HCF and LCM of Decimals

For decimal numbers, first make an equal number of places after the decimal point in all
provided numbers. Then find the LCM or HCF of numbers without assuming the decimal point.
After that put the decimal point in the final answer at the same position as provided in question.

Product of any two numbers can be equal to the product of the HCF of the numbers and
LCM of the numbers.

Examples
1. 357 is the sum of the three consecutive multiples of 7. What is the smallest multiple number?

(a) 132

(b) 112

(c) 200

(d) 92

Explanation (b)

Suppose the three consecutive multiples of 7 are 7x, 7(x+1) and 7(x+2).

Now according to question,

7x+7(x+1)+7(x+2)=357

21x+21=357

21x=357-21

21x=336

x=16

So, the smallest multiple is 7 x=7 (16)=112.

2. There are two terms a and b whose HCF and LCM are x and y respectively and also a+b =
x+y, then find the value of x 2+ y 2?

(a) a+ b

(b) a 2+ b

(c) a+ b2

(d) a 2+ b2

Explanation (d)

Given, x + y=a+b ……..(1)

As we know, the product of the LCM and HCF of two numbers is simply equal to the product of
the two numbers.

Therefore, xy=ab………..(2)

Now, ¿

From equation (1) and (2)

¿
2 2
x + y =¿
2 2 2 2
x + y =a +b + 2 ab−2 ab

x + y =a +b .
2 2 2 2

3. What would be the LCM of 6, 8 and 12 using the prime factorisation?

(a) 24

(b) 12

(c) 6

(d) 8

Explanation (a)

Firstly finding the factors of all the provided numbers,

1 1
6=2× 3=2 ×3
 3
8=2× 2× 2=2
2 1
12=2 ×2 ×3=2 × 3

The highest power product of 6,8 and 12 ¿ 23 ×31=8 × 3=24

4. Find the HCF of 18 and 48 using the prime factorisation method?

(a) 12

(b) 6

(c) 18

(d) 8

Explanation (b)

Firstly factorize the numbers,

18=2× 3× 3

48=2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×3

The common factors of the provided number are 2 and 3.

So the HCF of the 18 and 48 ¿ 2 ×3=6.

5. The product of two numbers and HCF are 4107 and 37 respectively. What would be the LCM
of the two numbers?

(a) 132

(b) 123

(c) 111

(d) 213

Explanation (c)

The product of the two numbers is 4107,

The HCF of the number is 37,

The product of the two numbers is equal to the product of the HCF and LCM.

4107=37 × LCM
 4107
LCM = =111.
37

6. There are three numbers 16, 24 and 36. Find the LCM of the numbers by the division method?

(a) 432

(b) 140

(c) 72

(d) 144

Explanation (d)

The factorisation of all three numbers are,

2 16, 24, 36
2 8, 12, 18
2 4, 6, 9
2 2, 3,9
3 1,3,9
3 1,1,3
1,1,1
Now, the LCM of the numbers 16, 24 and 36 ¿ 2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×3 ×3=144 .

7. What would be the HCF of 1.08, 0.36 and 0.9 ? (use division method)

(a) 0.18

(b) 0.09

(c) 0.12

(d) 0.15

Explanation (a)

Firstly, makes equal number of places after the decimal for all the numbers 1.08 , 0.36∧0.90,

Now, find HCF without considering the decimals,

The HCF of the 108 and 36 is 36.

The HCF of the 90 and 36 is 18

Implies HCF of 108, 36 and 90 is 18.

Now, restore the decimal point with the same number of places after the decimal. Therefore the
HCF of 1.08, 0.36 and 0.90 is 0.18.

8. What is the LCM of the 54 and 60 ?

(a) 300

(b) 540

(c) 340

(d) 420

Explanation (b)

The factors of the 54=2 ×3 ×3 ×3=21 × 33

And the factors of the 60=2× 2× 3 ×5=22 ×3 1 ×5 1

So, the LCM is the product of the greatest power of all prime factors,
2 3 1
LCM of 54∧60=2 × 3 × 5
 ¿ 4 ×27 ×5=540.

9. The LCM of three numbers is 2400 which are in ratio of 3:4:5 . What would be the three
numbers ?

(a) 100, 150, 200

(b) 90, 120, 150

(c) 120, 160, 200

(d) 60, 120, 180

Explanation (c)

The ratio of three numbers is 3:4:5

And the LCM is 2400

Let the number be 3 x , 4 x∧5 x

The LCM of these number must be (3 × 4 ×5) x=60 x

So, 60 x=2400

2400
x=
60

x=40

Therefore, three numbers are (3 × 40 , 4 × 40 , 5× 40)=(120 , 160,200) .

10. There is a sum of numbers 2497. What would be the least number that should be added to the
sum so that it would be divisible by 5, 6, 3 and 4 ?

(a) 13

(b) 23

(c) 33

(d) 37

Explanation (b)

Firstly, finding the LCM of the 5, 6, 3 and 4

2 5, 6, 3, 4
2 5, 3, 3, 2
3 5, 3, 3, 1
5 5, 1, 1, 1
1,1,1,1
So the LCM of the numbers is 2 ×2 ×3 ×5=60

Now this LCM must be divisible to the sum of numbers,

On dividing 2497 by 60, the remainder is 37.

Therefore, number to be added is, 60−37=23 .

Solved Problems
5
∧10
1. There are three fractions 6 14 . What would be the HCF of these terms ?
,
7 21

1
(a)
42

1
(b)
21

1
(c)
12

5
(d)
7

Explanation (a)

5
∧10
6 14 HCF of 6 , 5 ,10
HCF of , =
7 21 LCM 7 , 14 , 21

Now, the HCF of 6,5 and 10 is,

The factors of 6=1× 2× 3,

5=1× 5,

10=1× 2× 5

So, the HCF is 1.

And the LCM of 7, 14, 21 is,

The factors of 7=1× 7,

14=1 ×2 ×7,

21=1 ×3 × 7

So the LCM is, 1 ×2 ×3 ×7=42

5
∧10
So the 6 14 HCF of 6 , 5 ,10 1 .
HCF of , = =
7 21 LCM 7 , 14 , 21 42

2. The LCM and HCF of two numbers are 2079 and 27 respectively. If one number is 189 then
what would be the second number ?

(a) 287

(b) 297

(c) 307

(d) 189

Explanation (b)

Using the formula,

product of the number=LCM × HCF

nd
189 ×2 number=2079 × 27

2079 ×27
=297 .
nd
2 number=
189

3. Find the least number that after the doubled can be divisible of the numbers 12, 18, 21 and
30 ?

(a) 260
(b) 1260

(c) 630

(d) 320

Explanation (c)

Firstly find the LCM of 12, 18, 21 and 30,

So the factors of 12=2 ×2 ×3 ,

18=2× 3× 3,

21=3 × 7,

30=2× 3× 5

LCM of 12 ,18 ,21 , 30=2 ×3 × 2× 3× 7 ×5=1260

1260
So the required number is, =630.
2

4. There is a ratio of two numbers is 3:4 with HCF as 4. What is the LCM of these two
numbers ?

(a) 48

(b) 96

(c) 24

(d) 12

Explanation (a)

Suppose the two numbers are 3x and 4x,

The common multiple of these numbers is x.

Therefore HCF=x

So, 4=x ⇒ x=4

So, the numbers are (3 × 4 , 4 × 4 )=(12 , 16)

Using the formula of the product of two numbers,

product of two numbers=HCF × LCM

12 ×16=4 × LCM

12 ×16
LCM = =48.
4

5. What would be the HCF of x 2−9∧x 2−5 x+6 ?

(a) (x +2)(x−3)

(b) (x−2)(x +3)

(c) (x +2)(x+3)

(d) (x−2)(x−3)

Explanation (d)

The factor of x 2−9=(x +3)(x−3)

And the factor of x 2−5 x+ 6=x 2−2 x−3 x +6

¿ x (x−2)−3(x −2)

¿(x −2)( x −3)

So, the required HCF is (x−2)(x−3).

6. The HCF of the two numbers is 5. Which one of the following can never be the LCM of those
numbers ?

(a) 15

(b) 45

(c) 24

(d) 30

Explanation (c)

Since the HCF of two numbers is 5, So LCM should be the multiple of the number 5.

Implies 24 can never be the multiple of those numbers.

7. What would be the HCF of 135 and 225 ? (Use Prime factorisation Method)
(a) 30

(b) 45

(c) 15

(d) 5

Explanation (b)

The factors of 135=3× 3 ×3 ×5

And the factors of 225=3× 3 ×5 ×5

The common prime factor in both 3 ×3 ×5 ,

So the HCF of the 135 and 225 are, 3 ×3 ×5=45 .

8. There are two numbers whose HCF is 23 and other two common factors of their LCM are 13
and 14. What is the value of the largest of two numbers ?

(a) 299

(b) 202

(c) 322

(d) 340

Explanation (c)

The HCF of a group of numbers will always be a factor of their LCM.

HCF is simply the product of all common prime factors using the least power of each common
prime factor.

LCM is the product of the highest powers of all prime factors.

Clearly, the numbers are (23 ×13)∧(23 ×14)

Larger number ¿(23× 14)=322.

9. What is the least number that can be divided by 6, 15 and 18 leaves the remainder 5 for each
case ?

(a) 80

(b) 95
(c) 90

(d) 60

Explanation (b)

Firstly find the LCM of 6, 15 and 18,

2 6,15,18
3 3, 15, 9
3 1, 5, 3
5 1,5,1
1,1,1
So the LCM are, 2 ×3 ×3 ×5=90

Therefore, the required number ¿ LCM +remainder

¿ 90+5

¿ 95 .

10. There are two non zero expression whose product are (x + y + z) p3. If the HCF of those two
expression is p2, then find the value of HCF ?

(a) (x + z) p

(b) (x 2 + p 2 z )

(c) (x + y + z) p5

(d) (x + y + z) p

Explanation (d)

Using the formula of the product of two numbers,

product of two numbers=HCF × LCM

3 2
( x + y + z) p = p × LCM
3
(x+ y + z) p
LCM =
p2

LCM =(x + y + z ) p.

11. What would be the least number that is when divided by 24 ,32∧36 leaves the remainder
19 , 27∧31 respectively ?
(a) 283

(b) 285

(c) 280

(d) 290

Explanation (a)

The difference of numbers and remainder are, (24−19 , 32−27 , 36−31)=(5 , 5 ,5)

So the required number must be the difference between LCM of 24 , 32 , 36 and 5.

Firstly the LCM of the three numbers 24, 32 and 36 be,

2 24,32,36
2 12, 16, 18
2 6, 8, 9
2 3, 4, 9
2 3, 2, 9
3 3, 1, 9
3 1, 1, 3
1,1,1
So the LCM would be 2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×3 ×3=288

So the required number is, 288−5=283 .

12. There are 6 bell rings at an interval of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 seconds. In an interval of 30 minutes,
how many times does the bell ring together ?

(a) 4

(b) 8

(c) 16

(d) 32

Explanation (c)

The LCM of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 is,

2 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
2 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2 1, 1, 3, 2, 5, 3
3 1, 1, 3, 1, 5, 3
5 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 1
 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
So the LCM of these numbers is 2 ×2 ×2 ×3 ×5=120

Now, the bells will ring together after every 120 seconds i.e. 2 minutes,

30
In 30 minutes, they will ring together +1=16׿.
2

13. Find the greatest number that divides 29, 60 and 103 leaves a remainder of 5, 12 and 17
respectively ?

(a) 32

(b) 24

(c) 28

(d) 20

Explanation (b)

The difference of numbers and remainder are, (29−5 ,60−12 ,103−17)=(24 , 48 , 96)

So the required number must be the HCF of the 24, 48 and 96.

So the factor of 24=2 ×2 ×2 ×3=23 × 31

The factor of 48=2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×3=24 ×31

And the factor of 96=2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×2 ×3=25 × 31

So the required HCF of 24, 48 and 96 is 23 ×3=24

Therefore the required greatest number is 24.

14. Find the HCF of 16.5, 0.90 and 15 ?

(a) 0.3

(b) 0.9

(c) 10.5

(d) 0.18

Explanation (d)

Firstly, makes equal number of places after the decimal for all the numbers 16.50 , 0.90∧15.00 ,
Now, find HCF without considering the decimals 1650 , 90 , 1500.

So the factors of 1650=2× 3× 5 ×5 ×11=21 × 31 × 52 × 11

And the factors of 90=2× 3 ×3 ×5=21 × 32 × 51

And the factors of 1500=2× 2× 3× 5 ×5 ×5=22 × 31 ×5 3

Therefore the HCF of 1650 , 90∧1500=21 × 31 × 51=30

So the required HCF of 16.5, 0.90 and 15 is 0.3.

15. What is the product of the HCF and LCM of 14 and 16 ?

(a) 2

(b) 24

(c) 112

(d) 224

Explanation (d)

Here simply two numbers are provided and we need to find the product of them.

Therefore, the required number is, 14 × 16=224 .

16. Find the HCF of 20 a3 b5 c 2 and 35 a5 b3 c 3 ?

(a) 7 a 2 b 2 c

(b) 6 a 3 bc

(c) 5 a3 b3 c 2

(d) 20 a3 b3 c 2

Explanation (c)

The factors of 20 a3 b5 c 2=2 ×2 ×5 × a3 ×b5 × c2

And the factors of 35 a5 b3 c 3=5 ×7 × a5 ×b 3 × c 3

Therefore, the common multiples are 5 ×a 3 × b3 ×c 2.

So the HCF of 20 a3 b5 c 2 and 35 a5 b3 c 3 is 5 a3 b3 c 2.

17. What would be the HCF of 12, 18 and 27 ? (Use division Method)

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

Explanation (c)

Firstly the HCF of 12 and 18,

So the HCF of 12 and 18 is 6.

Now the HCF of 6 and 27 is,

So the HCF of 6 and 27 is 3.

Therefore the HCF of 12, 18 and 27 is 3.

18. What would be the LCM of the 15 p2 q4 r and 21 p q2 r 3 ?

(a) 105 p2 q4 r 3

(b) 35 p2 q2 r

(c) 105 p q5 r 3
(d) 35 p4 q 3 r 2

Explanation (a)

The factors of 15 p2 q4 r =3× 5 × p2 × q 4 ×r

And the factors of 21 p q2 r 3=3 ×7 × p × q2 ×r 3

Maximum power of 3 is 1.

Maximum power of 5 is 1.

Maximum power of 7 is 1.

Maximum power of p is 2.

Maximum power of q is 4.

Maximum power of r is 3.

Therefore, the LCM of 15 p2 q4 r and 21 p q2 r 3 is 3 ×7 × 5× p 2 × q 4 × r 3=105 p2 q4 r 3 .

128352
19. What is the reduced term of using the HCF division method ?
238368

5
(a)
14

3
(b)
14

5
(c)
13

7
(d)
13

Explanation (d)
So the HCF of 128352∧238368 is 183336 .

Therefore, the reduced terms will be,

128352 128352/183336
=
238368 238368 /183336

128352 7
= .
238368 13

4
∧6
20. What would the LCM of 2 7 ?
,
5 11

(a) 12

5
(b)
19

(c) 15

2
(d)
15

Explanation (a)

4
∧6
2 7 LCM of 2 , 4 ,6 ,
LCM of , =
5 11 HCF 5 ,7 ,11

Now, the LCM of 2, 4, 6.

The factors of 2=1 ×2 ,

4=2 × 2,
6=2× 3,

So the LCM is, 2 ×2 ×3=12

And the HCF of 5, 7, 11.

The factors of 5=1× 5,

7=1× 7,

11=1× 11,

So the HCF is 1.

4
∧6
So the 2 7 LCM of 2 , 4 ,6 12 .
LCM of , = = =12
5 11 HCF 5 ,7 ,11 1

Practice Problems
1. What would be the LCM of the 15 and 20 ?

(a) 55

(b) 60

(c) 65

(d) 70

2. What is the product of the HCF and LCM of 20 and 25 ?

(a) 50

(b) 100

(c) 500

(d) 1000

3. There are HCF and LCM of two numbers 12 and 72 respectively. What would be the value of
one of the two numbers if their sum is equal to 60 ?

(a) 24

(b) 12
(c) 30

(d) 60

4. The HCF of (x 2−x−6)∧(x 2 +3 x−18) is x−a . What is the value of a ?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

4
∧5
5. What would be the LCM of 1 2 27 ?
, ,
3 9 6

20
(a)
3

3
(b)
20

4
(c)
9

5
(d)
9

6. The sum of the HCF and LCM of two numbers is 403 and the LCM is 12 times the HCF of
these two numbers. What would be the second number if the first number is 93 ?

(a) 133

(b) 123

(c) 153

(d) 124

7. Find the greatest number which can divide the 99, 123 and 183 by remaining the same
remainder ?

(a) 15

(b) 12
(c) 21

(d) 14

8. Find the LCM of 0.6, 9.6 and 0.12 ?

(a) 15.5

(b) 8.9

(c) 9.6

(d) 7.5

9. There are two expression whose LCM and HCF are x +3∧x 3−7 x +6 . If one of the polynomial
is x 2+ 2 x−3 , then find another expression ?

(a) x 2+ x+6

(b) x 2+ x−6

(c) x 2−x−6

(d) x 2−x +6

10. What would be the smallest three digit number that could be divisible by 6, 8 and 12 ?

(a) 115

(b) 90

(c) 110

(d) 120

11. There are three tankers containing water in a volume of 403 litres, 434 litres and 465 litres of
water. What would be the maximum density of the tanker that can measure the water three tanker
in exact number of times?

(a) 30 litres

(b) 31 litres

(c) 32 litres

(d) 33 litres
12. There are 5 bell rings at an interval of 4, 6, 9, 10, 58 seconds. In an interval of 60 minutes,
how many times does the bell ring together ?

(a) 10

(b) 12

(c) 15

(d) 20

13. There are two non zero expression whose product are ( xy + yz + xz ) p5 . If the HCF of those
two expression is p2, then find the value of HCF ?

(a) (xz + zy ) p

(b) (x 2 + p 2 z )

(c) (xy + yz + xz ) p5

(d) (x + y + z) p3

14. If the HCF of the two numbers is 7, then which of the following LCM of those two numbers
cannot be possible ?

(a) 14

(b) 21

(c) 15

(d) 21

15. There are three boxes which contain 12, 15 and 21 black balls. If an individual collects an
equal number of black balls in each box, then what is the minimum number of balls he would
buy for each box ?

(a) 35, 28, 20

(b) 27, 19, 32

(c) 40, 17, 10

(d) 20, 15, 33

16. If there are three numbers 1305, 4665 and 6905, then find the largest number which can
divide these numbers by leaving a remainder in each case ?

(a) 1220

(b) 1120

(c) 1210

(d) 1022

17. What would be the greatest number which can divide the 1023 and 750 by leaving the
remainder of 3 and respectively ?

(a) 65

(b) 60

(c) 69

(d) 68

18. What would be the HCF of 2(x 2− y 2 )∧5(x 3− y 3) ?

(a) x− y

(b) x + y

(c) x 2+ y

(d) x + y 2

1
∧3
19. Find the HCF of 4 2 ?
,
5 4

(a) 20

1
(b)
20

5
(c)
10

(d) 2
20. Three friends decided to buy textbooks for their college courses. The first friend needs 12
books, the second needs 15, and the third needs 18. What is the minimum number of books they
should buy to distribute them evenly among the three friends?

(a) 24

(b) 30

(c) 36

(d) 42

Answer Key
1. (b)

2. (c)

3. (a)

4. (c)

5. (a)

6. (d)

7. (b)

8. (c)

9. (b)

10. (d)

11. (b)

12. (a)

13. (d)

14. (c)

15. (a)

16. (b)
17. (d)

18. (a)

19. (b)

20. (c)