How can I use prime factorization to find the HCF and LCM of 396 and 1080?

To find the Highest Common Factor (HCF) and the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the numbers 396 and 1080 using prime factorization, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prime Factorization

First, we need to determine the prime factors of each number.

Prime Factorization of 396:

1. Start with the smallest prime number, which is 2:

  • 396 ÷ 2 = 198
  • 198 ÷ 2 = 99

2. Next, we divide 99 by the next smallest prime, which is 3:

  • 99 ÷ 3 = 33
  • 33 ÷ 3 = 11

3. Finally, since 11 is a prime number, we can stop here.

So, the prime factorization of 396 is:

396 = 22 × 32 × 11

Prime Factorization of 1080:

1. Start with 2 again:

  • 1080 ÷ 2 = 540
  • 540 ÷ 2 = 270
  • 270 ÷ 2 = 135

2. Now, divide 135 by 3:

  • 135 ÷ 3 = 45
  • 45 ÷ 3 = 15
  • 15 ÷ 3 = 5

3. Since 5 is a prime number, we stop here.

Thus, the prime factorization of 1080 is:

1080 = 23 × 33 × 5

Step 2: Finding the HCF

The HCF is found by taking the lowest powers of all prime factors present in both factorizations.

  • For the prime number 2, the lowest power is 22.
  • For the prime number 3, the lowest power is 32.
  • The prime number 11 is not present in the factorization of 1080, so we exclude it.
  • The prime number 5 is not present in the factorization of 396, so we exclude it.

Now, we multiply the selected factors:

HCF = 22 × 32 = 4 × 9 = 36

Step 3: Finding the LCM

The LCM is found by taking the highest powers of all prime factors present in either factorization.

  • For the prime number 2, the highest power is 23.
  • For the prime number 3, the highest power is 33.
  • For the prime number 5, the highest power is 51.
  • For the prime number 11, the highest power is 111.

Now, we multiply the selected factors:

LCM = 23 × 33 × 5 × 11 = 8 × 27 × 5 × 11

Calculating step-by-step:

  • 8 × 27 = 216
  • 216 × 5 = 1080
  • 1080 × 11 = 11880

Thus, the LCM is:

LCM = 11880

Final Results

Therefore, we have:

  • HCF of 396 and 1080 is 36
  • LCM of 396 and 1080 is 11880

Leave a Comment