Question

An army contingent of 104 members is to march behind an army band, of 96 members in a parade. The two groups are to march in the same number of columns. What is the maximum number of columns in which they can march ?

Answer 1

Let the number of columns be x.

x is the largest number, which should divide both 104 and 96 

104 = 96 x 1 + 8 

96 = 8 x 12 + 0 

.'.     HCF of 104 and 96 is 8

Hence, 8 columns are required.