LCM (Least Common Multiple) vs HCF (Highest Common Factor) — Difference (with Table)
LCM (Least Common Multiple) vs HCF (Highest Common Factor) — a 5-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 5-7 Maths.
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TL;DR: LCM (Least Common Multiple) vs HCF (Highest Common Factor) — a 5-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 5-7 Maths.
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The main difference between LCM (Least Common Multiple) and HCF (Highest Common Factor): LCM is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers. HCF is the largest number that divides two or more numbers evenly.
LCM (Least Common Multiple) vs HCF (Highest Common Factor) — Comparison Table
| Basis | LCM (Least Common Multiple) | HCF (Highest Common Factor) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Least Common Multiple | Highest Common Factor or GCD |
| Definition | Smallest common multiple | Largest common divisor |
| Magnitude | Larger than or equal to the numbers | Smaller than or equal to the numbers |
| Example | LCM of 4 and 6 is 12 | HCF of 4 and 6 is 2 |
| Used For | Adding and subtracting fractions | Simplifying fractions |
Key Points
- LCM is the smallest number divisible by all given numbers
- HCF is the largest number that divides all given numbers
- LCM and HCF are inverse concepts in number theory
- For any two numbers, LCM x HCF = Product of the numbers