Question

Using prime factorization, find the HCF and LCM of

30, 72, 432

Answer 1

30 = 2 × 3 × 5 

72 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 2³ × 3² 

432 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 2⁴ × 3³ 

HCF = product of smallest power of each common prime factor in the numbers = 2 × 3 = 6 

LCM = product of greatest power of each prime factor involved in the numbers = 2⁴ × 3³ × 5 = 2160