Relation between HCF and LCM - Explained
HCF and LCM are two basic functions in Mathematics that can be used for a number of applications. HCF is an abbreviation for Highest Common Factor, while LCM is an abbreviation for Lowest Common Multiple.
What are HCF And LCM?
HCF is the highest factor of two or more than two numbers which will divide the number completely and leave no remainder. LCM of two or more than two numbers refers to the lowest number that will divide the given number and leave no remainder. In rough terms, this is what the two terms indicate.
How to find HCF of Given Two or More Numbers
Firstly, the given number is resolved into its prime factors. Then, Common prime factors of given numbers are multiplied. And the product obtained is HCF of given numbers.
For example: Find HCF of 9 and 21.
Factors of 9 = 3 x 3 = 32
Factors of 21 = 3 x 7
Product of common factors of 9 and 21 = 3.
So, HCF(9, 12) = 3
How to find LCM of Given Numbers
Firstly, the given number is resolved into its prime factors. Then, L.C.M. is given by the product of the factors of the resolved expressions, each factor considered once with the maximum exponent which appears in it.
For example: Find LCM of 12 and 18 .
Factors of 12 = 2 x 2 x 3 =22 x 3
Factors of 18 = 2 x 3 x 3 = 2 x 32
Since LCM is given by the product of the maximum exponent of each factor which has appeared in the prime factorisation of each of the given numbers.
So, LCM(12, 18) = 22 x 32 = 36.
Relation between HCF and LCM
The relation between HCF and LCM provides an easy way to solve the problem. Following ar e the relations between HCF and LCM of two numbers:
The HCF of Co-prime numbers is equal to 1. LCM of Co-prime numbers is equal to the product of the Co-prime numbers.
For example: 10 and 11 are coprime numbers.
So, HCF(10, 11) = 1 and
LCM (10, 11) = 10 x 11 = 110.
H.C.F. and L.C.M. of Fractions
HCF of fractions = HCF of Numerators / LCM of Denominators
LCM of fractions = LCM of Numerators / HCF of Denominators
For example: Find HCF and LCM of \[\frac{2}{3}\] ,\[\frac{3}{4}\] and \[\frac{4}{5}\] .
First, Find prime factors of 2, 3, 4 and 5.
2 = 1 x 2
3 = 1 x 3
4 = 1 x 2 x 2 = 1 x 22
5 = 1 x 5
So, HCF of given fractions 23 , 34 and 45
HCF of 2, 3, 4 = 1
LCM of 3, 4, 5 = 22 x 3 x 5 = 60
HCF( 23 , 34 and 45) = HCF of 2, 3, 4
LCM of 3, 4, 5= 160
And LCM of given fractions 23 , 34 and 45
HCF of 3, 4, 5 = 1
LCM of 2, 3, 4 = 22 x 3 = 12
LCM( 23 , 34 and 45) = LCM of 2, 3, 4
HCF of 3, 4, 5 = 121 = 12
HCF and LCM of positive integers
Positive integers refer to any number that is greater than 0 and lies on the right side of zero when graphed on a number line. The relationship here will be as follows:
If the positive integers are x and y, then
HCF (x,y) * LCM (x,y) = x*y
To demonstrate this, we can say that if we take the numbers 12 and 8,
HCF of 12 and 8 = 4
LCM of 12 and 8 = 24
Therefore, HCF(4) * LCM (24) = 96
This is also equal to 4*24.
Some Special Cases Of HCF And LCM
In some cases where the numbers may not be whole numbers, it is important to know the rules and the relationships for HCF and LCM. these cases may include:
HCF and LCM of more than 2 numbers:
In case there is a need to find out the HCF and LCM for more than two numbers, this method can be employed. Here we have used three numbers and will find out the HCF and LCM for them.
Suppose the three numbers are x,y and z.
To find the LCM of these, we need to multiply the product of x,y and z with their HCF and divide that with HCF of x and y, HCF of y and z and HCF of x and z.
Therefore,
LCM = (x*y*z) * (HCF of x,y,z)/ HCF (x,y)* HCF (y,z) * HCF (x,z)
To find the HCF, the inverse formula needs to be used.
HCF (x,y and z) = (x*y*z) * (LCM of x,y,z)/ LCM (x,y)* LCM (y,z) * LCM (x,z)
FAQs on Relation between HCF and LCM
1. What are the points of distinction between HCF and LCM?
HCF means highest common factor for two or more numbers, while LCM means lowest common multiple for two or more numbers. The first point of difference is that HCF is always a smaller number than LCM. HCF of two or any more given numbers will never be greater in value than any of those numbers. Meanwhile, the LCM of two or more given numbers is always greater in value than those given numbers, or equal to the number with the biggest value. Zero is counted as a common multiple for every number but HCF can never be 0.
2. How can HCF and LCM be calculated?
In Mathematics, there are two methods using which HCF and LCM of two or more than two numbers can be calculated. One of them is by prime factorization method. Here, the prime factors of all the given numbers are considered and the LCM will be the product of all the factors that have the highest degree. Meanwhile, the largest common prime factor will be the HCF. The other method is the division method. Here, the LCM can be found by dividing the given numbers by a common prime number until the result is a prime number or 1.
3. What will be the value of HCF of 0 and 0?
Finding the value of the HCF of zero with zero is not the same as other ways of finding HCF for numbers. It is known that any integer can be a factor of zero. Therefore, the normal method for finding HCF cannot be employed here as there is no greatest divisible number for zero. Zero itself is the greatest divisible number for zero. Thus, the value of HCF of (0,0) will be zero itself. It is also sometimes measured as undefined.
4. What are the real-life uses of HCF?
The HCF of two or more numbers will always give us a value that will divide all numbers completely with no remainder. This concept can be very useful in applications such as data analytics and data sufficiency. This is because, in these areas, data needs to be divided into small sub-sections in order for people handling it to take a look at the details. Basically, HCF can even be used in daily activities when we want to split things into smaller portions.
5. What are the real-life applications of LCM?
LCM has a number of applications in fields such as statistical analysis and measurements. LCM is also used by engineers in computerised applications for a number of functions. For calculating the speed of planets rotating on their orbits, LCM has applications, as well as for understanding how different trains operating at different speeds will come at the same station at the same time. LCM is also a core part of many mathematical operations that ultimately impact our daily life in many ways.
