Question

Find the HCF and LCM of 12, 15, 18, 27

Answer 1

Prime factorization: 

12 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 2² × 3 

15 = 3 × 5

18 = 2 × 3 × 3 = 2 × 3² 

27 = 3 × 3 × 3 = 3³ 

Now, HCF = Product of smallest power of each common prime factor in the number = 3 

LCM = Product of greatest power of each prime factor involved in the number 

 = 2² × 3³ × 5 

= 540