Which number below is a common multiple of 6 and 8 but is NOT the LCM of 6 and 8?

Class 6Playing with NumbersPlaying with Numbers

Step-by-Step Solution

The common multiples of 6 and 8 are 24, 48, 72, … . The smallest is 24, so 24 is the LCM; 48 comes next (48 ÷ 6 = 8 and 48 ÷ 8 = 6), which makes it common but not least. The traps 12 and 36 are multiples of 6 only — neither one divides evenly by 8.

Answer: D) 48

Key idea: HCF and LCM — the two ends of common ground

**HCF** (Highest Common Factor) is the biggest number that divides both numbers — it sits at the *small* end of common factors. **LCM** (Least Common Multiple) is the smallest number both numbers divide — it sits at the *small* end of common multiples (which is the *big* side of factors). For Class 6, the simplest method is listing: write all the factors (or first several multiples) of each number and pick the right one. Faster methods come in Class 7.

Master this chapter in 30 minutes a day.

Don't just memorise the answer — build a daily practice habit.

Practice 5 Similar Questions Free →

All Playing with Numbers practice questions

More Class 6 Playing with Numbers practice

Find the HCF of 72 and 108 by prime factorisation.Find the LCM of 24 and 90 using prime factorisation.Use the division method on 132 and 220 — divide the larger by the smaller, then keep…The HCF of 18 and 24 is 6. Use the rule HCF × LCM = product of the two numbers to work…Sonal is told that two numbers have HCF 8 and LCM 30. She says no such pair of numbers…