Study Material — 6 PYQs (2018–2023) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
RRB JE LCM and HCF is a frequently tested subtopic — 6 previous year questions from 2018–2023 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
6 questions from actual RRB JE papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12018Previous Year Pattern
Find the LCM of 12, 18, and 24.
Exam Q 22018Previous Year Pattern
The HCF of two numbers is 12 and their LCM is 360. If one of the numbers is 72, what is the other number?
Exam Q 32023Previous Year Pattern
Three bells ring at intervals of 18 minutes, 24 minutes, and 36 minutes respectively. If they all ring together at 9:00 AM, at what time will they ring together again for the third time?
Exam Q 42018Previous Year Pattern
The LCM of two numbers is 2520 and their HCF is 12. If one number is 168, find the other number.
Exam Q 52023Previous Year Pattern
The HCF of two numbers is 16 and their LCM is 480. How many pairs of numbers satisfy this condition?
Exam Q 62023Previous Year Pattern
The LCM of two numbers is 12 times their HCF. If the sum of the HCF and LCM is 403, find the HCF of the two numbers.
Concept Notes
LCM and HCF— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
LCM (Least Common Multiple) and HCF (Highest Common Factor) are fundamental concepts in Number System that appear in almost every SSC CGL paper. Understanding these concepts is crucial for solving time and work, ratio, and simplification problems. Core Concept:
HCF is the largest number that divides all given numbers completely. LCM is the smallest number that is divisible by all given numbers. Think of HCF as the biggest common piece, and LCM as the smallest common whole.
Key RulesCore rules you must know cold
1
For two numbers a and b: HCF × LCM = a × b
2
HCF is always less than or equal to the smallest number
3
LCM is always greater than or equal to the largest number
4
If two numbers are co-prime (HCF = 1), then LCM = product of numbers
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
HCF × LCM = Product of two numbers
For three numbers: HCF(a,b,c) × LCM(a,b,c) ≠ a × b × c
HCF by Division Method: Keep dividing larger by smaller until remainder is zero
LCM = (a × b) ÷ HCF(a,b)
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL typically asks
direct HCF/LCM calculation, word problems involving bells/traffic lights, finding numbers when HCF/LCM is given, and ratio-based problems. Most questions are 2-mark difficulty level
Powerful Shortcut - Product Rule
For any two numbers, if you know any three values among {number1, number2, HCF, LCM}, you can find the fourth instantly using: HCF × LCM = number1 × number2.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
LCM = product of highest powers = 2⁴ × 3² = 16 × 9 = 144
Verification: HCF × LCM = 24 × 144 = 3456 = 48 × 72 ✓
Worked Example 2:
Two bells ring at intervals of 15 and 20 minutes. If they ring together at 9:00 AM, when will they ring together next?
1
Step 1
Find LCM of 15 and 20
15 = 3 × 5
20 = 2² × 5
2
Step 2
LCM = 2² × 3 × 5 = 60 minutes
3
Step 3
Next time = 9:00 AM + 60 minutes = 10:00 AM
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Another Speed Trick - Co-prime Check
If two numbers have no common factors except 1, their HCF = 1 and LCM = their product
Examples
(7,11), (15,16), (25,28).
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students confuse the formula application for three numbers. The golden rule HCF × LCM = product applies ONLY to two numbers. For three or more numbers, this formula does NOT work.
Always work with pairs or use prime factorization method for multiple numbers. This mistake costs students 2-4 marks per exam.
Practical Tip:
In word problems, LCM gives 'together again' scenarios (bells, traffic lights). HCF gives 'maximum equal groups' scenarios (distribution problems).
Identify the scenario type first, then apply the appropriate concept.
Key Points to Remember
HCF × LCM = Product of two numbers (works only for exactly two numbers)
HCF is the largest common divisor, LCM is the smallest common multiple
For co-prime numbers: HCF = 1, LCM = product of the numbers
LCM = (a × b) ÷ HCF for any two numbers a and b
HCF ≤ smallest number, LCM ≥ largest number among given numbers
Two bells ring at intervals of 18 minutes and 24 minutes respectively. If they ring together at 9:00 AM, at what time will they ring together again?
Practice 2easy
The HCF of two numbers is 18. If the numbers are in the ratio 2:3, find the larger number.
Practice 3easy
The HCF of two numbers is 8. Which of the following cannot be their LCM?
Practice 4easy
Three numbers are in the ratio 2:3:4. If their HCF is 5, find the largest number.
Practice 5easy
What is the LCM of 24, 36, and 48?
Practice 6easy
Find the HCF of 56, 84, and 140 using the prime factorization method.
Practice 7easy
Find the LCM of 24, 36, and 40.
Practice 8easy
The HCF of two numbers is 8 and their LCM is 96. How many pairs of numbers satisfy this condition?
Practice 9easy
Find the LCM of 24, 36, and 48.
Practice 10easy
Two bells ring at intervals of 18 minutes and 24 minutes respectively. If they ring together at 9:00 AM, at what time will they ring together again?
Practice 11easy
The HCF of two numbers is 15. If the numbers are 45 and 75, verify the HCF is correct. What is their LCM?
Practice 12easy
The HCF of two numbers is 15. If the numbers are 45 and 75, verify which statement is correct.
Practice 13medium
The LCM of two numbers is 168 and their HCF is 12. If the difference between the two numbers is 60, find the larger number.
Practice 14medium
Three bells ring at intervals of 12, 18, and 24 minutes respectively. If they all ring together at 9:00 AM, at what time will they ring together again?
Practice 15medium
The HCF of two numbers is 8. If the numbers are in the ratio 3:5, what is the sum of the two numbers?
Practice 16medium
Three bells ring at intervals of 18 minutes, 24 minutes, and 30 minutes respectively. If they all ring together at 9:00 AM, at what time will they ring together again?
Practice 17medium
The HCF of two numbers is 16 and the sum of the two numbers is 144. If one number is 48, what is the other number?
Practice 18medium
Two numbers have an HCF of 18 and an LCM of 540. How many such pairs of numbers exist?
Practice 19medium
Three numbers are in the ratio 2:3:4. Their LCM is 120. What is the sum of the three numbers?
Practice 20medium
Three bells ring at intervals of 18 minutes, 24 minutes, and 36 minutes respectively. If they all ring together at 9:00 AM, at what time will they ring together again?
14 more practice questions in the Study Panel
Difficulty-graded, bookmarkable, with timed mode. Free account — no credit card.