Chapter

3 HCF AND LCM

KEY
FACTS

1. The HCF of two or more numbers is the greatest number that divides each of them exactly.
2. Methods of finding HCF
(i) Prime Factorization : Express each of the given numbers as the product of their prime factors. The HCF of the
given numbers is the product of the least powers of common factors.
24 = 23 × 3, 32 = 25  HCF (24, 32) = 23 = 8.
(ii) Continued Division Method : Divide the larger number by the smaller number. If the remainder is zero, the
divisor is the HCF, otherwise divide the previous divisor by the remainder last obtained. Repeat this until the
remainder becomes zero.
To find the HCF of more than two numbers, first find the HCF of any two numbers and then find the HCF of the
result and the third number and so on. The final HCF is the required HCF.
Note : The HCF of two co-prime numbers is 1, as they have no factors in common.
3. The LCM of two or more numbers is the least number that is divisible by all these numbers.
4. Methods of finding LCM
(i) Prime Factorization Method : Express each number as a product of prime factors. The LCM of the given
numbers is the product of the greatest powers of these prime factors.
64 = 26, 56 = 23 × 7  LCM (64, 56) = 26 × 7 = 448
(ii) Common Division Method : Arrange the given numbers in a row in any order. Now divide by a prime number
which divides exactly at least two of the given numbers and carry forward the numbers which are not divisible.
Repeat the process till no numbers have a common factor other than 1. The product of the divisors and the
remaining numbers is the LCM of the given numbers.

Note: The LCM of two co-prime numbers is equal to their product.

5. The product of the HCF and LCM of two numbers is equal to the product of the numbers.
6. The HCF always completely divides the LCM for a given set of numbers.
HCF of numerators
7. HCF of given fractions 
LCM of denominators
LCM of numerators
LCM of given fractions 
HCF of denominators

Ch 3–1

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 Ch 3–2 IIT Foundation Mathematics Class – VIII
8. To find the HCF and LCM of decimal numbers, convert the given numbers to like decimals. Now find HCF and
LCM of the numbers treating them as whole numbers (ignoring the decimal point). The number of decimal places
in the answer are eaqual to the number of decimal places in the like decimals. Accordingly, put the decimal point
in the answer.
Som e Im portant Results
9. The greatest number that will divide x, y and z leaving remainders a, b and c respectively is given by the HCF of
(x – a), (y – b), (z – c).
10. The greatest number that will divide x, y and z leaving the same remainder in each case is given by HCF of (x – y),
(y – z), (z – x).
11. The least number which when divided by x, y and z leaves the same remainder R in each case is given by LCM of
(x, y, z) + R.
12. The least number which when divided by x, y and z leaves the remainders a, b and c respectively is given by LCM
of (x, y, z) – p where p = (x – a) = (y – b) = (z – c).

Solved Examples
Ex. 1. What is the least number which when divided by 15, 18 and 21 leaves remainders 2, 5 and 8
respectively ?
Sol. Since the difference between the divisors and the respective remainders is same, i.e., 3 15, 18, 21
15 – 2 = 18 – 5 = 21 – 8 = 13,
5, 6, 7
The required number = LCM of (15, 18, 21) – 13 = (3 × 5 × 6 × 7) – 13 = 630 – 13 = 617.
Ex. 2. There are three numbers. The HCF of each pair is 15 and the LCM of all the three numbers is 1890. What
is the product of the numbers ?
Sol. Since the HCF of each pair of numbers is 15, the HCF of the three numbers is 15.
 Product of the numbers = HCF × LCM
= 15 × 1890 = 28350.
Ex. 3. What is the least number which when divided by 4, 6, 8 and 9 leaves zero remainder in each case but when
divided by 13 leaves a remainder of 7 ?
Sol. LCM of 4, 6, 8 and 9 = 72
2 4, 6, 8, 9
Dividing 72 by 13, 5
13) 72 2 2, 3, 4, 9
– 65 3 1, 3, 2, 9
7 1, 1, 2, 3
72 is the required number.
Ex. 4. Find the least number which when divided by 12, 16, 18, 30 leaves remainder 4 in each case but it is
completely divisible by 7 ?
Sol. LCM of (12, 16, 18, 20) = 720
2 12, 16, 18, 30
2 6, 8, 9, 15
3 3, 4, 9, 15
1, 4, 3, 5
 The required number is of the form 720k + 4
Checking for values of k = 1, 2, 3,...... we see that the least value of k for which 720k + 4 is divisible by 7 is k = 4,
 Required number = 720 × 9 + 4 = 2884.

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 HCF and LCM Ch 3–3

Ex. 5. The LCM and HCF of two positive numbers are 175 and 5 respectively. If the sum of the numbers is 60,
what is the difference between them ?
Sol. Let the two numbers be 5a and 5b as HCF of the two numbers = 5
 Product of the two number = HCF × LCM
175
 5a × 5b = 5 × 175  ab   35
5
 (a, b) can be (1, 35) or (5, 7)
Thus, the numbers can be (1 × 5 and 35 × 5) or (5 × 5 and 5 × 7), i.e., (5 and 175) or (25 and 35) The sum = 60 is
satisfied by the pair (25, 35). Hence, the difference of the numbers is 10.

Question Bank–3
1. Find the number of pairs of natural numbers with 7. Two numbers both greater than 29 have HCF = 29
LCM as 56. and LCM = 4147. The sum of the numbers is
(a) 3 (b) 4 (a) 666 (b) 669
(c) 10 (d) Can't be determined (c) 696 (d) 966
2. A General can draw up his soldiers in the rows of 8. The HCF of two numbers each consisting of 4 digits
10, 15 and 18 soldiers and he can also draw them is 103 and their LCM is 19261. The numbers are
up in the form of a solid square. Find the least (a) 1133, 1751 (b) 1053, 1657
number of soldiers with the general.
(c) 1061, 1111 (d) 1591, 1377
(a) 100 (b) 3600
9. Four prime numbers are written in ascending order
(c) 900 (d) 90
of their magnitudes. The product of the first three is
3. The circumferences of the fore and hind wheels of 715 and that of the last three is 2431. What is the
3 1 largest given prime number ?
a carriage are 6 m and 8 m respectively. At
14 18 (a) 5 (b) 19
any given moment, a chalk mark is put on the point
of contact of each wheel with the ground. Find the (c) 17 (d) 23
distance travelled by the carriage so that both the 10. A number lying between 1000 and 2000 is such that
chalk marks are again on the ground at the same on division by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 leaves
time. remainders 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The
(a) 218 m (b) 217.5 m number is
(c) 218.25 m (d) 217 m (a) 518 (b) 416
4. The LCM of two numbers is 28 times of their HCF. (c) 364 (d) 1679
The sum of their LCM and HCF is 1740. If one of 11. Find the greatest number of five digits which when
the numbers is 240, find the other number. divided by 4, 6, 14 and 20 leaves respectively 1, 3,
(a) 240 (b) 620 11 and 17 as remainders.
(c) 540 (d) 420 (a) 99930 (b) 99960
5. Find the two largest numbers of four digits having (c) 99997 (d) 99957
531 as their HCF. 12. Find the least number which when divided by 12,
24, 36 and 40 leaves a remainder 1, but when divided
(a) 9231, 9762 (b) 9027, 9558
by 7 leaves no remainder.
(c) 9037, 9568 (d) 9127, 9658
(a) 361 (b) 1080
6. Find the greatest number of five digits which become (c) 721 (d) 371
exactly divisible by 10, 12, 15 and 18 when 3769 is 13. What is the least number which when divided by
added to it.
the numbers 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 leaves in each case
(a) 99819 (b) 99911 a remainder 2, but when divided by 13 leaves no
(c) 99900 (d) 99111 remainder.

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 Ch 3–4 IIT Foundation Mathematics Class – VIII
(a) 312 (b) 962 18. There are 4 numbers, The HCF of each pair is 7 and
(c) 1562 (d) 1586 the LCM of all the numbers is 1470. What is the
14. A heap of stones can be made up into groups of 21. product of the 4 numbers ?
When made up into groups of 16, 20, 25 and 45, (a) 504210 (b) 502410
there are 3 stones left in each case. How many stones (c) 504120 (d) 501420
at least can there be in the heap ? 19. Two persons A and B walk round a circle whose
(a) 7203 (b) 2403 diameter is 1.4 km. A walks at a speed of 165 metres
(c) 3603 (d) 4803 per munute while B walks at a speed of 110 metres
15. Find the least number which when divided by 2, 3, per minute. If they both start at the same time from
4, 5 and 6 leaves 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as remainders the same point and walk in the same direction at
respectively, but when divided by 7 leaves no what interval of time would they both be at the same
remainder. starting point again.
(a) 210 (b) 119
(c) 126 (d) 154 1
(a) 1 h (b) 1 h
16. The HCF and LCM of two numbers are 12 and 72 3
respectively. If the sum of the two numbers is 60, 2 1
then one of the numbers will be (c) 1 h (d) 1 h
(a) 12 (b) 24 3 2
(c) 60 (d) 72 20. The LCM of two numbers is 495 and their HCF is
17. The difference of two numbers is 20 and their 5. If the sum of the numbers is 100, then their
product is 56.25 times their difference. Find the difference is
LCM of the numbers. (a) 10 (b) 46
(a) 70 (b) 1125 (c) 70 (d) 90
(c) 225 (d) 5
Answers
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (d)
11. (d) 12. (c) 13. (b) 14. (a) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (b) 20. (a)

Hints and Solutions

1. (c) Let a, b be the two numbers with LCM 56. Since
56 is the LCM a and b will be the divisors of 87  3  29  87 145 
56. The divisors of 56 are 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 28 ,
145  5  29 = LCM of  14 18 
and 56. Combining two at a time, the possible
pairs with LCM as 56 are (1, 56), (2, 56), (4, 14  2  7 LCM of (87,145)
56), (7, 56), (8, 56), (14, 56), (28, 56), (8, 14), 
(8, 28) and (7, 8). Thus, in all there are 10 pairs. 18  2  9 HCF of (14,18)
2. (c) LCM of (10, 15, 18) = 2 × 3 × 5 × 3 = 90 3  5  29 435
2 10, 15, 18    217.5 m.
2 2
3 5, 15, 9 4. (d) LCM = 28 HCF
5 5, 5, 3 Also, LCM + HCF = 1740
 28 HCF + HCF = 1740
1, 1, 3
1740
 To draw the soldier in the form of a solid square  29 HCF = 1740  HCF =  60
29
the number of soldiers = 90k, where k is a natu-  LCM = 28 × 60 = 1680
ral number. The least value of k for which 90 k Since, one number = 240
is a square number is k = 10, i.e, the required HCF  LCM
number of soldiers = 90 × 10 = 900.  Other number =
3. (b) Required distance travelled One number
60  1680
 3 1    420
= LCM of  6 14 m,8 18 m  240
 

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 HCF and LCM Ch 3–5

5. (b) The largest number of four digits = 9999 2431 = 11 × 13 × 17

Dividing 9999 by 531, we get  HCF of 715 and 2431 = 11 × 13 = 143
18 bcd 2431
531) 9999  Largest number (d) =   17.
bc 143
– 531 10. (d) The common difference between the divisors
4689 and the respective remainders = (2 – 1) (3 – 2)
– 4248 = (4 – 3) = ......... = (8 – 7) = 1
441 LCM of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 = 840
 Greatest number of four digits divisible by 531  Required number = 840 k – 1
= 9999 – 441 = 9558 Since the number lies between 1000 and 2000,
k = 2.
The other number = 9558 – 531 = 9027.
 Required number = 840 × 2 – 1
6. (b) LCM of (10, 12, 15 and 18) = 1680 – 1 = 1679.
= 2 × 3 × 5 × 2 ×3 = 180 11. (d) Common difference between divisors and
2 10, 12, 15, 18 respective remainders
= (4 – 1) = (6 – 3) = (14 – 11) = (20 – 17) = 3
3 5, 6, 15, 9
LCM of (4, 6, 14, 20) = 2 × 2 × 3 × 7 × 5
5 5, 2, 5, 3
= 420.
1, 2, 1, 3
2 4, 6, 14, 20
The greatest five digit number = 99999
2 2, 3, 7, 10
Dividing (99999 + 3769) = 103768 by 180 ,
we get 1, 3, 7, 5

180 ) 103768 ( 576 Greatest number of five digits = 99999

– 900 Dividing 99999 by 420 and subtracting the
1376 remainder 39 from 99999, we get 99999 – 39
– 1260 = 99960.
11 68 42 0 ) 99999 ( 238
– 1080 – 840
88 15 99
Remainder = 88 –1260
 Required number = 99999 – 88 = 99911. 3399
7. (c) Since the HCF of both the numbers is 29, let –3 3 6 0
the numbers be 29a and 29b, where a and b are
39
co-prime to each other.
Given, 29a × 29b = 29 × 4147  ab = 143  The required number = 99960 – 3
The co-prime pairs (a, b) whose product = 143 = 99957.
are (1, 143) and (11, 13) 12. (c) LCM of 12, 24, 36 and 40 = 360
Since both the required numbers are greater than Any number which when divided by 12, 24, 36
29, the co-prime pair satisfying the condition is and 40 leaving a remainder 1 is of the form
(11, 13). 360k + 1. Now, we have to find the least value
Therefore the numbers are 29 × 11 and 29 × 13, of k for which 360k + 1 is divisible by 7.
i.e., 319 and 377. 51k
 Sum of the numbers = 319 + 377 = 696.
7 ) 360 k + 1
8. (a) Similar to Q. No. 7.
– 357 k
9. (c) Let the four prime numbers in the ascending
3k + 1
order of their magnitudes be a, b, c and d.
Given, a × b × c = 715 and b × c × d = 2431 By inspection we find that for k = 2,
HCF of (abc and bcd) = bc 3×2+1=7
 Now, 715 = 11 × 13 × 5 and  Required number = 360 × 2 + 1 = 721.

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 Ch 3–6 IIT Foundation Mathematics Class – VIII
13. (b) Similar to Q. No. 12. Neglecting the negative value of a,
14. (a) Number of stones b = 45 – 20 = 25
= LCM of (16, 20, 25, 45) × k + 3 Now, a = 45 = 32 × 5, b = 25 = 52
= 3600 k + 3  LCM of (45, 25) = 32 × 52 = 225
Since the stones can be made up into groups 18. (a) Since the HCF of each pair = 7, let the four
of 21. numbers be 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d.
21 ) 3600 k + 3 (171 k Also, LCM = abcd × HCF
– 3591k 1470
9k + 3  abcd   210
7
 9k + 3 is divisible by 21 when k = 2  Product of the numbers
 Least number of stones = 3600 × 2 + 3 = 7203. = 7a × 7b × 7c × 7d
15. (b) Common difference between divisors and = 74 × abcd = 74 × 210 = 504210.
respective remainders 19. (b) Diameter of the circle = 1.4 cm
= (2 – 1) = (3 – 2) = (4 – 3)  Circumference = 2 r
= (5 – 4) = ( 6 – 5) = 1
22 1.4
LCM of (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) = 60  2  km  4.4 km
7 2
 Required number = 60 k – 1
Now we have to find the least value of k for A's speed = 165 m/min
which 60k – 1 is divisible by 7. 7 60k–1 8k  Time taken by A to travel 4.4 km (4400 m)
By inspection, we find that –56k 4400 80
4k–1 = min  min
for k = 2, 4 × 2 – 1 = 7 165 3
 Required number = 60 × 2 – 1 = 120 – 1 = 119. B's speed = 110 m/ min
16. (b) Given, HCF = 12, LCM = 72  Time taken by B's to travel 4.4 km (4400 m)
One number = x, othe number = 60 – x
4400
 Product of the two numbers = HCF × LCM = min = 40 min
110
 x (60 – x) = 12 × 72
 x2 – 60x + 864 = 0  80 
Required interval of time = LCM of  , 40 
 x2 – 36x – 24x + 864 = 0  3 
 x (x – 36) – 24 (x – 36) = 0 LCM (80, 40) 80
 (x – 36) (x – 24) = 0  x = 36 or 24. =  min
HCF (3,1) 1
 One of the number is 24.
17. (c) Let the numbers be a and b. Then, 80 1
= hrs  1 hrs
a – b = 20 .... (i) 60 3
20. (a) Let one number = x. Then,
ab = 56.25 × 20 = 1125
Other number = 100 – x
1125 LCM = 495, HCF = 5
 b = x(100 – x) = 495 × 5
a 
 Putting the value of b in (i) we get  100x – x2 = 2475
 x2 – 100x + 2475 = 0
1125
a–  20  a2 – 1125 = 20a  x2 – 45x – 55x + 2475 = 0
a  x (x – 45) – 55(x – 45) = 0
 a2 – 20a – 1125 = 0 (x – 45) (x – 55) = 0

 a2 – 45a + 25a – 1125 = 0
 x = 45 or 55.
 a (a – 45) + 25 (a – 45) = 0
 The numbers and 45, 100 – 45 = 55 or 55,
 (a – 45) (a + 25) = 0 100 – 55 = 45
 a = 45 or –25 Required difference = 55 – 45 = 10.

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 HCF and LCM Ch 3–7

Self Assessment Sheet–3

1. What is the greatest number of 4-digits that, which when divided by 13 leaves no remainder?
when divided by any of the numbers 6, 9, 12 and 17 (a) 3601 (b) 1469
leaves a remainder of 1? (c) 2091 (d) 4879
(a) 9997 (b) 9793
7. If x = 103, then the LCM of x2 – 4 and x2 – 5x + 6 is
(c) 9895 (d) 9487
2. Find the greatest number that will divide 55, 127 (a) 105105 (b) 1051050
and 175, so as to leave the same remainder in each (c) 106050 (d) 1060500
case. 8. The LCM of two numbers is 12 times their HCF.
(a) 1 (b) 16 The sum of HCF and LCM is 403. If one of the
(c) 24 (d) 15 numbers is 93, then the other number is
3. The sum of two numbers is 1215 and their HCF is (a) 124 (b) 128
81. How many pairs of such numbers can be formed? (c) 134 (d) 138
(a) 2 (b) 6 9. The HCF and LCM of two numbers x and y is 6 and
(c) 4 (d) None 210 respectively. If x + y = 72, which of the following
4. How many numbers between 200 and 600 are relation is correct?
exactly divisible by 4, 5 and 6?
(a) 5 (b) 16 1 1 3 1 1 2
(a)   (b)  
(c) 10 (d) 6 x y 35 x y 35
5. The HCF of two numbers of same number of digits 1 1 35
(c)   (d) not sufficient
is 45 and their LCM is 540. The numbers are x y 2
(a) 270, 540 (b) 135, 270 10. If the HCF of x2 – x – 6 and x2 + 9x + 14 is (x + m),
(c) 180, 270 (d) 135, 180 then the value of m is:
6. Find the least number which on being divided by 5, (a) 1 (b) 2
6, 8, 9, 12 leaves in each case a remainder 1 but (c) – 2 (d) – 1

Answers
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (b)

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