Two numbers are in the ratio of 4 : 5, and their HCF is 16. Find the LCM of the two numbers.
- AOption (a)
360
- BOption (b)
340
- COption (c)
320
- DOption (d)
380
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Correct answer
320
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Given Ratio = 4 : 5 and HCF = 16.
Trick: LCM = HCF × Product of the Ratio terms.
LCM = 16 × 4 × 5 = 320.
∴ The correct answer is 320.
Alternate Method
Given:
Ratio of two numbers = 4 : 5
Highest Common Factor (HCF) = 16
Formula Used:
If the ratio of two numbers is a : b and their HCF is x, then the numbers are ax and bx.
LCM of these numbers = x × a × b (where a and b are coprime).
Let the numbers be 4k and 5k.
Since the HCF is the common factor k, we have:
⇒ k = 16
⇒ First number = 4 × 16 = 64
⇒ Second number = 5 × 16 = 80
⇒ LCM(64, 80) = 16 × 4 × 5
⇒ LCM = 320
∴ The correct answer is 320.
Additional Information
Product of Two Numbers Rule
For any two positive integers, the product of the numbers is equal to the product of their HCF and LCM: n1 × n2 = HCF × LCM.
HCF as a Factor of LCM
The Highest Common Factor of any set of numbers is always a factor of their Least Common Multiple.
Coprime Numbers Property
If two numbers are coprime (HCF = 1), then their LCM is simply the product of the numbers themselves.