CBSE Class 5 Maths HCF and LCM 2026: Simple Method Every Student Must Know
HCF (Highest Common Factor) and LCM (Lowest Common Multiple) are important concepts in CBSE Class 5 Maths that help students understand factors and multiples. HCF is the greatest number that divides two or more numbers exactly, while LCM is the smallest number that is divisible by all the given numbers. Learning easy methods to find HCF and LCM helps students solve Maths problems faster and builds a strong foundation for advanced topics such as fractions, ratios, and algebra.
What is HCF and LCM in CBSE Class 5 Maths?
In CBSE Maths concepts in Class 5, two basic number concepts are taught: HCF and LCM. They assist children in learning the relationship between numbers as factors and multiples.
- HCF (Highest Common Factor): The greatest number that will divide two or more numbers evenly.
- LCM (Lowest Common Multiple): The smallest number that is divisible by two or more numbers.
For example, if we take the numbers 4 and 6:
- The common factors of their are 1 and 2, and the HCF is 2.
- They have common multiples beginning at 12, hence the LCM is 12.
Why HCF and LCM Matter in Class 5 Maths Chapter?
Many topics in later chapters, such as fractions, ratios, and simplifying, are introduced in this chapter. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) says that Class 5 Maths introduces factors and multiples so that the children can easily manage the advanced number operations later.
The proper knowledge of HCF and LCM of CBSE Class 5 also helps them to solve the problems of daily life, like dividing the sweets equally among them or organizing events that repeat after some days.
Simple Method to Find HCF (Step-by-Step)
This is the simplest method for children to use to determine HCF by listing factors:
- Write down all the factors of each number.
- Find the common factors and circle them.
- The largest number with the circle is your HCF.
|
Numbers |
Factors |
Common Factors |
HCF |
|---|---|---|---|
|
8 and 12 |
1,2,4,8 / 1,2,3,4,6,12 |
1,2,4 |
4 |
|
15 and 20 |
1,3,5,15 / 1,2,4,5,10,20 |
1,5 |
5 |
|
18 and 24 |
1,2,3,6,9,18 / 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24 |
1,2,3,6 |
6 |
The division method is a quicker way to work out a problem with larger numbers, which is when you divide the larger number by the smaller number, then divide the smaller number by the remainder and so on until there is no remainder. The last divisor is the HCF.
Simple Method to Find LCM (Step-by-Step)
Kids can use the listing multiples method to determine the LCM:
- Write the first few multiples of each number.
- Divide the smallest common multiple of the two by the smallest.
- The number is your LCM.
|
Numbers |
Multiples |
Common Multiple |
LCM |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3 and 4 |
3,6,9,12 / 4,8,12,16 |
12 |
12 |
|
5 and 6 |
5,10,15,20,25,30 / 6,12,18,24,30 |
30 |
30 |
|
4 and 10 |
4,8,12,16,20 / 10,20,30 |
20 |
20 |
The other quick method is prime factorization, which involves dividing numbers into prime factors, and then multiplying the highest powers of all the prime factors that are present.
HCF LCM Tricks Every Student Should Remember
These simple HCF LCM Tricks will help students to solve the questions quickly in the exam:
|
Trick |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
|
HCF of numbers is never bigger than the smallest number |
Quick check for mistakes |
|
LCM of numbers is never smaller than the biggest number |
Quick check for mistakes |
|
Product of two numbers = HCF × LCM |
Useful shortcut formula |
|
If one number divides the other completely, the smaller number is the HCF |
Saves time |
|
If numbers have no common factor besides 1, their LCM is their product |
Quick calculation |
One of the most useful HCF LCM tricks is the formula HCF × LCM = Product of the two numbers which allows students to determine one number when they have the other number.
HCF vs LCM – Quick Comparison Table
|
Point |
HCF |
LCM |
|---|---|---|
|
Full Form |
Highest Common Factor |
Lowest Common Multiple |
|
Meaning |
Largest common divisor |
Smallest common multiple |
|
Value |
Always smaller or equal to the smallest number |
Always bigger or equal to the biggest number |
|
Method Used |
Factors |
Multiples |
|
Used For |
Dividing things equally |
Finding repeating events |
Real-Life Examples of HCF and LCM
- HCF Example: A teacher has 12 pencils and 18 erasers and wants to make identical gift bags with no items left over. The HCF (6) tells her she can make 6 bags.
- LCM Example: Two bells ring every 4 minutes and 6 minutes. The LCM (12) tells us both bells will ring together again after 12 minutes.
These examples help to make HCF and LCM for Class 5 more relatable to real-life situations, as suggested by CBSE to learn concepts instead of memorizing them. These examples make HCF and LCM for Class 5 more relatable to real-life situations, as suggested by CBSE, to learn concepts instead of memorizing them.
Read More: From Class 5 to Class 6: What Changes and How to Handle the Jump
How Can Oswaal Books Help You Practice CBSE Maths Concepts?
After having understood the basic procedure, the students need to practice regularly to master this chapter of Class 5 Maths. Oswaal Books provide practice workbooks for CBSE students that include questions and examples solved chapter-wise and quick revision notes on topics such as HCF and LCM. A combination of NCERT books and additional practice questions can be helpful in developing speed and accuracy in exams.
Summary
The concepts of HCF and LCM are fundamental concepts taught in CBSE Class 5 Maths to help students understand factors and multiples. Common factors are used to find HCF and common multiples are used to find LCM; both can be found quickly by the listing, division and prime factorisation method. Simple HCF LCM tricks such as HCF × LCM formula helps to solve the problem easily and quickly. By practicing this chapter using the NCERT books and other resources like Oswaal Books, students can be confident in mastering the chapter for the upcoming exams in 2026.
Related CBSE Class 5 Preparation Books & Study Materials
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FAQs - CBSE Class 5 Maths HCF and LCM 2026
The simplest method is the listing method, in which HCF and multiples are listed and the required common number is selected.
Yes. For any two numbers, HCF × LCM = Product of the two numbers.
It lays the groundwork for future concepts such as fractions, simplifying fractions and ratios in higher grades.
The division method is faster for larger numbers when finding the HCF, and the prime factorisation method is quicker for larger numbers when finding the LCM.
For any set of numbers, No. HCF is always less than or equal to LCM.
