LCM and HCF

Least Common Multiples (LCMs) and

Highest Common Factors (HCFs) play a big
role in mathematics involving fractions

When adding fractions, it is necessary

to find a common denominator. We use
the LCM as the smallest denominator.
To reduce fraction, we need to find the
HCF.

Least Common Multiples

The multiples of a number are the
products of that number and the
Natural numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, . . . )
The number that is a multiple of
two or more numbers is a common
multiple of those numbers.
The Least Common Multiple (LCM)
is the smallest common multiple of
two or more numbers.

Example:
The multiples of 4 are
4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44,
48, . . .
The multiples of 6 are
6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, . . .
The common multiples of 4 and 6 are
12, 24, 36, 48, . . .
The Least Common Multiples of 4 and 6 is
12
Notation: LCM(4, 6) = 12

Finding the LCM

We can find the LCM of two or more
numbers
by listing out the multiples of each and
identifying the smallest common multiple
But, this could be difficult . . .
Ex: Find LCM(24, 50)
Do you know your multiples of 24 and
50 easily?

We need a more systematic approach to

finding
LCMs
We will find the LCM or two or more numbers
using the prime factorization of each
number
Review: The prime factorization of a number
is that number written solely as a product of
prime numbers.

Ex: Find the prime

factorization of 24
Prime
s

2
4

Quotient
(composites)

12

24 = 2 * 12
24 = 2 * 2 *
6
24 = 2 * 2 * 2
*3

Prime on the right

done clean it up
24 = 23 * 3

Ex: Find the prime

factorization of 50

Prime
s

2
5

5
0

Quotient
(composites)

25

50 = 2 * 25

50 = 2 * 5 *
5

Prime on the right

done just clean it up
50 = 2 * 52

Ex: Find the LCM(24, 50)

Find the prime factorization of each
number:
24 = 23 * 3 and 50 = 2 * 52
Arrange the factorizations in a table
prime

24

50

LCM

23
21
8

50

30

52

25

31

Circle the Largest product in each

column
The LCM(24, 50) is the product of the
circled numbers: 8 * 3 * 25 = 600

Note:
The exponent represents the number
of times that factor appears in the
prime factorization
In the prime factorization of the LCM
of two numbers we can find the prime
factorization of each of the numbers:
24 = 2*2*2*3 and 50 = 2*5*5
LCM(24, 50) = 600 = 2*2*2*3*5*5
= (2*2*2*3)*5*5
= (2*5*5)*2*2*3
600 is a multiple of both 24 and 50!

Ex: Find the LCM (44, 60)

Prime Factorizations
44
2
2

22
11

44 = 2 * 2 *
11

60
2
2
3

30
15
5

60 = 2 * 2 * 3 *
5

Ex: Find the LCM(44, 60)

M: Find the prime factorization of each
number:
44 = 2*2*11 and
60 = 2*2*3*5
C: Find the common factors: 2 * 2
L: Include all the leftovers: 3 * 5 * 11
The LCM(44, 60) = 2 * 2 * 3 * 5 * 11 =
660

Ex: Find the LCM(102,

184)
Prime Factorizations

10
2
2 51
3 17

102 = 2 * 3 *
17

184

2
2
2

92
46
23

184 = 2 * 2 * 2 *
23

Ex: Find the LCM(102,

184)

M: Find the prime factorization of each

number:
102 = 2*3*17 and
184 = 2*2*2*23
C: Find the common factors: 2
L: Include all the leftovers: 2 * 2 * 3 * 17 *
23
The LCM(44, 60) = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 17 * 23 =
9384

Ex: Find the LCM(16,

30, 84) Prime Factorizations
16
2
2
2

8
4
2

30

84

15

2
2
3

42
21
7

16 = 2*2*2*230 = 2 * 3 * 584 = 2 * 2 * 3 *
7

Ex: Find the LCM(16, 30,

84)
M: Find the prime factorization of each
number:
16 = 2*2*2*2

30 = 2*3*5
2*2*3*7

and 84 =

C: Find the common factors: 2

Continue to find factors that are common to
some: 2 * 3
L: Include all the leftovers: 2 * 2 * 5 * 7

The LCM(16, 30, 84) = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 5 *

7 = 1680

Highest Common Factors

The factors of a number are the
numbers that divide the original
number evenly
A number that is a factor of two or
more numbers is a common factor of
those numbers
The Highest Common Factor (HCF)
is the largest common factor of two
or more numbers

Example:
The factors of 24 are
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
The factors of 36 are
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
The common factors of 24 and 36 are
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
The Highest Common Factor of 24 and
36 is 12
Notation: HCF(24, 36) = 12

Finding the HCF

We can find the HCF of two or more
numbers by listing out the factors of each
and identifying the largest common factor
But, this could be difficult when the
numbers are very large.

We need a more systematic approach to finding

HCFs
We will find the HCF or two or more numbers
using the prime factorization of each number
and using a process nearly identical to the one
we
used to find LCMs of two or more numbers

Ex: Find the HCF(24, 40)

Prime Factorizations
24
2
2
2

12
6
3

24 = 2 * 2 * 2 *
3

40
2
2
2

20
10
5

40 = 2 * 2 * 2 *
5

Ex: Find the HCF(24, 40)

Find the prime factorization of each number:
24 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 and
40 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 5
Arrange the factorizations in a table

prime
s

24

40

HCF

23

23

50

30

51

31

Circle the Smallest product in each

column
The HCF(24, 40) is the product of the
circled numbers: 8 * 1 * 1 = 8

Note:
The exponent represents the
number of times that factor appears
in the prime factorization
In the prime factorization of the
numbers, we can find the prime
factorization of the HCF:
HCF(24, 40) = 8 = 2*2*2
24 = 2*2*2*3 = (2*2*2)*3
40 = 2*2*2*5 = (2*2*2)*5
8 is a factor of both 24 and 40!

Ex: Find the HCF (32, 51)

Prime Factorization:
32
2
2

16
8

2
2

4
2

32 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2
*2

51
3

17

51 = 3 * 17

Ex: Find the HCF(32, 51)

F: Find the prime factorization of each
number:
32 = 2*2*2*2*2 and
51 = 3*17
C: Find the common factors: 1
H: Multiply all the common factors
together: 1
The HCF(32, 51) = 1

Ex: Find the HCF(102, 84)

Prime Factorization:
10
2
2 51
3 17
32 = 2 * 3 *
17

84
2

42

2
3

21
7

51 = 2 * 2 *3 * 7

Ex: Find the HCF(102, 84)

F: Find the prime factorization of each
number:
102 = 2 * 3 * 17 and
84 = 2 * 2 * 3 * 7
C: Find the common factors: 2 * 3
H: Multiply all the common factors
together: 6
The HCF(102, 84) = 6

Ex: Find the HCF(14, 42,

84)
Prime Factorizations

14
2
14 =
2*7

42

84

21

42 = 2 * 3 * 7

2
2
3

42
21
7

84 = 2 * 2 * 3 *
7

Ex: Find the HCF(14, 42,

84)
F: Find the prime factorization of each
number:
14 = 2*7
2*2*3*7

42 = 2*3*7

and

84 =

C: Find the common factors: 2 * 7

H: Multiply all the common factors together:
14
The HCF(14, 42, 84) =

14

PROBLEMS

1. What is the greatest number of four

digits which is divisible by 15, 25, 40
and 75?
A. 9800
C. 9400

B. 9600
D. 9200

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Greatest number of four digits = 9999
LCM of 15, 25, 40 and 75 = 600
9999 600 = 16, remainder = 399
Hence, greatest number of four digits
which is divisible by 15, 25, 40 and 75
= 9999 - 399 = 9600

2. What is the lowest common multiple

of 12, 36 and 20?
A. 160
C. 120

B. 220
D. 180

3. The H.C.F. of two numbers is 5 and

their L.C.M. is 150. If one of the
numbers is 25, then the other is:
A. 30
C. 24

B. 28
D. 20

4. Which of the following integers has

the most number of divisors?
A. 101
C. 182

B. 99
D. 176

Answer: Option D
Explanation:
99 = 1 3 3 11
=> Divisors of 99 are 1, 3, 11, 9,
33 and 99
101 = 1 101
=> Divisors of 101 are 1 and 101
182 = 1 2 7 13
=> Divisors of 182 are 1, 2, 7, 13,
14, 26, 91 and 182
176 = 1 2 2 2 2 11
=> Divisors of 176 are 1, 2, 11, 4,
22, 8, 44, 16, 88, 176
Hence 176 has most number of

5. What is the least number which when

doubled will be exactly divisible by 12,
14, 18 and 22 ?
A. 1286
C. 1216

B. 1436
D. 1386

Answer: Option D
Explanation:
LCM of 12, 14, 18 and 22 = 2772
Hence the least number which will be
exactly divisible by 12, 14, 18 and 22 =
2772
2772 2 = 1386
1386 is the number which when doubled,
we get 2772
Hence, 1386 is the least number which
when doubled will be exactly divisible by
12, 14, 18 and 22.

7. The product of two numbers is 2028

and their HCF is 13. What are the
number of such pairs?
A. 4
C. 2

B. 3
D. 1

Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Let the numbers be 13x and 13y
( HCF of the numbers = 13)
13x 13y = 2028
xy = 12
co-primes with product 12 are (1, 12) and (3, 4)
( we need to take only co-primes with
product 12. If we take two numbers with
product 12, but not co-prime, the HCF will not
remain as 13)
Hence the numbers with HCF 13 and product
2028
= (13 1, 13 12) and (13 3, 13 4)

8. A boy divided the numbers 7654, 8506

and 9997 by a certain largest number
and he gets same remainder in each
case. What is the common remainder?
A. 156
C. 211

B. 199
D. 231

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
If the remainder is same in each case and
remainder is not given, HCF of the differences of
the numbers is the required largest number.
9997 - 7654 = 2343
9997 - 8506 = 1491
8506 - 7654 = 852

Hence, the greatest number which divides 7654,

8506 and 9997 and leaves same remainder
= HCF of 2343, 1491, 852
= 213
Now we need to find out the common remainder.
Take any of given numbers from 7654, 8506 and
9997, say 7654
7654 213 = 35, remainder = 199

9. A, B and C start at the same time in the

same direction to run around a circular
stadium. A completes a round in 252
seconds, B in 308 seconds and C in 198
seconds, all starting at the same point. After
what time will they again at the starting
point?
A. 36 minutes 22 seconds
B. 46
minutes 22 seconds
C. 36 minutes 12 seconds
D. 46
minutes 12 seconds

Answer: Option D
Explanation:
LCM of 252, 308 and 198 = 2772
Hence they all will be again at the
starting point after 2772 seconds.
i.e., after 46 minutes 12 seconds.

10. What is the HCF of 2.04, 0.24 and

0.8?
A. 1
C. 0.02

B. 2
D. 0.04

Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Step 1: Make the same number of decimal
places in all the given numbers by
suffixing zero(s) in required numbers as
needed. => 2.04, 0.24 and 0.80
Step 2: Now find the HCF of these
numbers without decimal.
=> HCF of 204, 24 and 80 = 4
Step 3: Put the decimal point in the result
obtained in step 2 leaving as many digits
on its right as there are in each of the
numbers.
i.e., here we need to put decimal point in

11. What is the greatest number which

on dividing 1223 and 2351 leaves
remainders 90 and 85 respectively?
A. 1133
C. 42

B. 127
D. 1100

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Required number
= HCF of (1223 - 90) and (2351 - 85)
= HCF of 1133 and 2266
= 1133

12. Three numbers which are co-prime

to each other are such that the product
of the first two is 119 and that of the
last two is 391. What is the sum of the
three numbers?
A. 47
C. 53

B. 43
D. 51

13. What is the greatest number which

divides 24, 28 and 34 and leaves the
same remainder in each case?
A. 1
C. 3

B. 2
D. 4

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
If the remainder is same in each case and
remainder is not given, HCF of the
differences of the numbers is the required
greatest number.
34 - 24 = 10
34 - 28 = 6
28 - 24 = 4
Hence, the greatest number which divides
24, 28 and 34 and gives the same
remainder
= HCF of 10, 6, 4

14. What is the least number which

when divided by 8, 12, 15 and 20 leaves
in each case a remainder of 5?
A. 125
C. 132

B. 117
D. 112

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
LCM of 8, 12, 15 and 20 = 120
Required Number = 120 + 5 =
125

15. What is the smallest number which

when diminished by 12, is divisible 8,
12, 22 and 24?
A. 276
C. 272

B. 264
D. 268

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Required Number
= (LCM of 8, 12, 22 and 24) + 12
= 264 + 12 = 276