Question

If a and b are positive integers such that a = x3y

2 and b = xy3

, where x and y are prime

number, then HCF (a,b) = ‽

(a) xy2

(b) x2y (c) xy (d) x2y

2​

Answer 1

Answer:

HCF(x3y2, xy3) =xy2

option( a) is correct

Answer 2

Answer:

According to question find the HCF of (a,b).

Given that, a =x3y2 = x × x × x × y × y

and b = xy3 = x × y × y × y

∴ HCF of a and b = HCF (x3y2,xy3) = x × y × y = xy2

[Since, HCF is the product of the smallest power of each common prime factor involved in the numbers]