Tnpsc maths - Highest Common Factor (HCF)‐Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

Hi Friends,

Here i am going to explain about Hcf and Lcm. In Tnpsc exams we can get 1 mark from Hcf and Lcm. 

What is Hcf ?

Hcf means Highest common factor.

Find the Hcf of 10, 25 ?

10 ---> 5 × 2

25 ---> 5 × 5

Here common factor is 5. So Hcf is 5.

What is Lcm ?

Lcm means Least common multiple.

Find the Lcm of 10, 25 ?

10 ,25 = 5 × 2 × 5 = 50

Multiply all the multiples. So Lcm is 50. 

1. Factors and Multiples: 

If number a divided another number b exactly, we say that a is a factor of b.In this case, b is called a multiple of a.

2. Highest Common Factor (H.C.F.) or Greatest Common Measure (G.C.M.) or Greatest Common Divisor (G.C.D.): 

The H.C.F. of two or more than two numbers is the greatest number that divides each of them exactly.There are two methods of finding the H.C.F. of a given set of numbers:

Factorization Method:

Express the each one of the given numbers as the product of prime factors. The product of least powers of common prime factors gives H.C.F.

Division Method:

Suppose we have to find the H.C.F. of two given numbers, divide the larger by the smaller one. Now, divide the divisor by the remainder. Repeat the process of dividing the preceding number by the remainder last obtained till zero is obtained as remainder. The last divisor is required H.C.F.Finding the H.C.F. of more than two numbers: Suppose we have to find the H.C.F. of three numbers, then, H.C.F. of [(H.C.F. of any two) and (the third number)] gives the H.C.F. of three given number.Similarly, the H.C.F. of more than three numbers may be obtained.

3. Least Common Multiple (L.C.M.): 

The least number which is exactly divisible by each one of the given numbers is called their L.C.M.There are two methods of finding the L.C.M. of a given set of numbers:

Factorization Method:

Resolve each one of the given numbers into a product of prime factors. Then, L.C.M. is the product of highest powers of all the factors.

Division Method (short-cut):

Arrange the given numbers in a rwo in any order. Divide by a number which divided exactly at least two of the given numbers and carry forward the numbers which are not divisible. Repeat the above process till no two of the numbers are divisible by the same number except 1. The product of the divisors and the undivided numbers is the required L.C.M. of the given numbers.

4. Product of two numbers = Product of their H.C.F. and L.C.M.

The H.C.F. of two numbers is 23 and the other two factors of their L.C.M. are 13 and 14. The larger of the two numbers is:

A. 276 
B. 299
C. 322 
D. 345

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Clearly, the numbers are (23 x 13) and (23 x 14).

Larger number = (23 x 14) = 322.

5. Co-primes: Two numbers are said to be co-primes if their H.C.F. is 1.

6. H.C.F. and L.C.M. of Fractions:

1. H.C.F. =	H.C.F. of Numerators
	L.C.M. of Denominators

Find the HCF of 2/5, 6/7, 8/3.

HCF = HCF of (2,6,8) / LCM of (5,7,3).

HCF = 2/105.

2. L.C.M. =	L.C.M. of Numerators
	H.C.F. of Denominators

Find the LCM of 2/5, 6/7, 8/3.

LCM = LCM of (2,6,8) / HCF of (5,7,3).

LCM = 24/1.

LCM = 24.

7. H.C.F. and L.C.M. of Decimal Fractions: 

In a given numbers, make the same number of decimal places by annexing zeros in some numbers, if necessary. Considering these numbers without decimal point, find H.C.F. or L.C.M. as the case may be. Now, in the result, mark off as many decimal places as are there in each of the given numbers.

8. Comparison of Fractions: 

Find the L.C.M. of the denominators of the given fractions. Convert each of the fractions into an equivalent fraction with L.C.M as the denominator, by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the same number. The resultant fraction with the greatest numerator is the greatest.

General Questions and Answers:

1. Let N be the greatest number that will divide 1305, 4665 and 6905, leaving the same remainder in each case. Then sum of the digits in N is:

A. 4 
B. 5
C. 6 
D. 8

Answer: Option A

Explanation:

N = H.C.F. of (4665 - 1305), (6905 - 4665) and (6905 - 1305)

= H.C.F. of 3360, 2240 and 5600 = 1120.

Sum of digits in N = ( 1 + 1 + 2 + 0 ) = 4

2. The greatest number of four digits which is divisible by 15, 25, 40 and 75 is:

A. 9000 
B. 9400
C. 9600 
D. 9800

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Greatest number of 4-digits is 9999.

L.C.M. of 15, 25, 40 and 75 is 600.

On dividing 9999 by 600, the remainder is 399.

Required number (9999 - 399) = 9600.

3. The product of two numbers is 4107. If the H.C.F. of these numbers is 37, then the greater number is:

A. 101 
B. 107
C. 111 
D. 185

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Let the numbers be 37a and 37b.

Then, 37a x 37b = 4107

ab = 3.

Now, co-primes with product 3 are (1, 3).

So, the required numbers are (37 x 1, 37 x 3) i.e., (37, 111).

Greater number = 111.

4. Find the HCF of 2⁴ X 5² X 7³ X 11², 7⁶ X 5⁴ X 2⁷ X 13, 5⁶ X 2² X 7⁴ X 17.

For this question we need to take common factors first, and then lowest powers.

Here common factors are 2, 5, 7.

Then write their lowest powers.

Answer = 2² x 5² x 7³.

5. Find the LCM of 2⁴ X 5² X 7³ X 11², 7⁶ X 5⁴ X 2⁷ X 13, 5⁶ X 2² X 7⁴ X 17.

For this question we need to write all the given numbers , and then write their Highest powers.

All the numbers are 2, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17.

Then write their Highest powers.

Answer = 2⁷ x 5⁶ x 7⁶ x 11² x 13 x 17.