Chapter 1 (Revision): LCM & HCF: Someone asked...

The HCF and LCM of two numbers are 12 and 5040 respectively. If one of the number is 420, what is the other number?
If the 2 numbers are A and B, rewriting what we are given:
  • HCF of A and B = 12 (which is the same as 2 x 2 x 3)
  • LCM of A and B = 5040
Now, to find HCF of A and B, we usually do prime factorisation of each number, then 'circle' the common factors.
In other words, with prime factorisation,
  • A = 2 x 2 x 3 x ? x ? x ... x ?
  • B = 2 x 2 x 3 x ? x ? x ... x ?
  • {where we do not know what are the factors and how many of them at this point}
Now, look at LCM... if we were to use long division method to find the LCM, it means....
  • 2 ) A, B
  • 2 ) A', B'
  • 3 ) A'', B''
  • ? ) A''', B''
  • ................
So, it means LCM of these 2 numbers A and B = 2 x 2 x 3 x ? x ... x ? (but we have to bear in mind that 2, 2 and 3 are common for both numbers)
Given that one of the numbers is 420, we would be able to find the factors that this number contributes to the LCM.
  • Prime Factorisation of 420 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 x 7
  • Now, we know that LCM of A and B, 5040 is equal to 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 x 7 x ?
  • The remaining factor: 5040 ÷ (2 x 2 x 3 x 5 x 7) = 12
  • Hence the other number is a product of 2 x 3 x 3 x 12 = 144

4 comments:

  1. Actually a better method is to just take 12 X 5040, then divide the answer by 420.

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  2. Its the method that the 'Assignment 1' told us about.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @소녀시대 Fan:
    From the class discussion, you might realise that the 'method' is applicable to some special cases only :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The ratio between 2numbers is 15:11 and their HCF is 13.which are the numbers?

    ReplyDelete