Basic 6Mathematics18 min

HCF and LCM Prime-Factor Lab

Learners solve arranging club members into equal teams.

Use prime factors to find HCF and LCM.

Two clubs need equal teams for games, and learners find the biggest team size and the first shared multiple schedule.

HCF and LCM Prime-Factor Lab illustration

Learners solve arranging club members into equal teams.

Find the HCF and LCM of 24 and 36 using prime factors.

  1. Break the numbers into primes: 24 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 and 36 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3.
  2. Shared primes give HCF 2 x 2 x 3 = 12; all needed primes give LCM 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 = 72.