Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) and Highest Common Factor (HCF)
25th March, 2025
How do you find the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) or Highest Common Factor (HCF)?
Before showing what Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) and Highest Common Factor (HCF) are, I will explain the difference between factors and multiples.
I will then talk about prime numbers and prime factors.
Table of Contents
What are factors?
The factors of a number are those that divide into another.
e.g. the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12
Pairs of factors
Factors are often written as “pairs”, i.e. two numbers multiplied to make that number.
e.g. the factors of 12, listed as pairs, are:
1 and 12
2 and 6
3 and 4
These are the same numbers we listed above, but in numerical order.
How to find pairs of factors of a number
Use this methodical approach, listing them in pairs, and start with 1 and the number.
e.g. “Find the factors of 60”
The first pair is 1 and 60
Next ask, “Is it divisible by 2?” It is even, so yes, it is divisible by 2. Divide 60 by 2 which is 30. The next pair is 2 and 3o
“Is it divisible by 3?” Yes, it is divisible by 3 (using the trick of adding the digits together). The next pair is 3 and 20
“Is it divisible by 4?” When we divided it by 2 we got 30, an even number, so yes, we can divide it again so it must be divisible by 4. The next pair is 4 and 15 (half of 30)
“Is it divisible by 5?” It ends with a 0, so it is divisible by 5. The next pair is 5 and 12
“Is it divisible by 6?” Yes, it is divisible by 6 (using the trick of adding the digits together and it is even). The next pair is 6 and 10
“Is it divisible by 7?” No, 56 is in the 7 times table, and 60 is only 4 more.
“Is it divisible by 8?” No, 64 is in the 8 times table, and 60 is only 4 less.
“Is it divisible by 9?” No, it is not divisible by 9 (using the trick of adding the digits together).
( Working methodically this way, notice how the pairs of numbers get closer together. Once you reach 9 there is no need to continue as we already have 10 and we have reached the bottom of our list of pairs – see diagram. )
1 and 60
2 and 30
3 and 20
4 and 15
5 and 12
6 and 10
What is the Highest Common Factor (HCF) of two numbers?
The highest common factor (HCF) is the BIGGEST number that will DIVIDE INTO ALL numbers in the question.
e.g. Factors of 36 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
and Factors of 54 are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 27, 54
therefore the Highest Common Factor of 36 and 54 is 18.
Tip for remembering what the Highest Common Factor (HCF) means
Read Highest Common Factor (HCF) backwards
‘factor’ – list factors of both numbers
‘common’ – factor appears in both lists
‘highest’ – the highest of those common factors
What are multiples?
The multiples of a number are numbers that can be made from multiplying 1 or more of that number (essentially the times tables of that number)
e.g. the multiples of 3 are
3, 6, 9, 12, …. 30, 33, 36, …. 60, …. 99, … 333 etc!
How to list multiples
Start with the number – that is the first multiple. And then repeatedly add the number to the previous sum.
e.g. the multiples of 17 are:
17, 34, 51, 68, 85, 102, …
(quick tip for repeatedly adding a number like 17, which isn’t that easy in your head – add 20 and then take away 3)
What is the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of two numbers?
The lowest common multiple (LCM) is the SMALLEST number that will DIVIDE BY ALL the numbers in the question.
e.g. Multiples of 6 are : 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, …
and Multiples of 7 are : 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, …
therefore the Lowest Common Multiple of 6 and 7 is 42.
Tip for remembering what the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) means
Read Lowest Common Multiple backwards
‘multiple’ – list a few multiples of both numbers
‘common’ – multiple appears in both lists
‘lowest’ – the smallest number
What’s the difference between factors and multiplies?
To sum up: factors divide into another (remember “pairs of factors” multiply together) and multiples are when you multiply the number by 1, by 2, by 3 etc – e.g. the times tables of that number.
What is a prime number?
A prime number is any number that can only be divided by 1 and itself – it has exactly two factors.
e.g. these are the first few prime numbers (it is an infinite sequence!)
2 3 5 7 11 13 17 19 23 29 31 37 41…
Are all prime numbers odd? Are all odd numbers prime?
2 is the only even prime number. All other prime numbers are odd.
But, not all odd numbers are prime,
e,g, 9 is odd but not prime, as it is divisible by 1,3 and 9
Is 1 a prime number?
No, 1 is NOT a prime number, as it is only divisible by itself. It must have one and only one pair of factors.
What is a prime factor?
A prime factor is any factor of a number that is also a prime number.
e.g. the factors of 30 are
1 and 30
2 and 15
3 and 10
5 and 6
The only numbers in this list that are prime are 2, 3 and 5 – these are the prime factors of 30
Printable revision guide on How to Find Lowest Common Multiple (LCM), Highest Common Factor (HCF), and Prime Factors
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"Nicola has been very supportive by helping me to fill in the blanks left over from my high school education. This has been crucial to improving my confidence in mathematics"
"I was lacking confidence in maths. Nicola was a fantastic teacher and really helped to improve my technique and approach to maths problems. She is patient, understanding and friendly"
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