- Aa factor of HCF(a, b)
- Bequal to a + b
- Ca multiple of HCF(a, b)
- Dsmaller than HCF(a, b)
Step-by-Step Solution
The HCF divides both a and b, and the LCM is a multiple of both, so the HCF divides the LCM — the LCM is a multiple of the HCF. This also shows the HCF can never exceed the LCM, so the "factor of" and "smaller than" options have the relationship the wrong way round.
Answer: C) a multiple of HCF(a, b)
Key idea: Euclid's Division Lemma and HCF
**Lemma**: For positive integers a, b (with b>0), there exist UNIQUE q,r with a=bq+r and 0 ≤ r<b.
This is just formal long division — q is the quotient, r is the remainder.
**Algorithm to find HCF(a, b)** with a>b:
1. Apply lemma: a=bq+r.
2. If r=0, HCF = b.
3. If r ≠ 0, replace (a, b) with (b, r) and repeat.
**Example**: HCF(420, 130).−420=130×3+30−130=30×4+10−30=10×3+0
→ HCF = 10.