The H.C.F. of $\frac{2}{3}, \frac{8}{9}, \frac{64}{81}$ and $\frac{10}{27}$ is :
Aptitude
HCF and LCM
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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A$\frac{2}{3}$
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B$\frac{2}{81}$
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C$\frac{160}{3}$
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D$\frac{160}{81}$
Answer
Correct Answer: $\frac{2}{81}$
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
To find the Highest Common Factor (HCF) of a set of fractions, use the standard fraction formula:
$$\text{H.C.F.} = \frac{\text{H.C.F. of Numerators}}{\text{L.C.M. of Denominators}}$$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given Fractions:** $\frac{2}{3}$, $\frac{8}{9}$, $\frac{64}{81}$, and $\frac{10}{27}$.
* **Step 1: Find the HCF of the numerators ($2, 8, 64, 10$).**
The factors are $2$, $2^3$, $2^6$, and $2 \times 5$.
The highest common factor shared by all four numbers is clearly $2$.
* **Step 2: Find the LCM of the denominators ($3, 9, 81, 27$).**
The denominators are all powers of $3$:
$3 = 3^1$
$9 = 3^2$
$27 = 3^3$
$81 = 3^4$
The LCM of numbers with the same base is simply the one with the highest power, which is $81$.
* **Step 3: Combine them into the final fraction.**
$$\text{Final H.C.F.} = \frac{2}{81}$$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
You can solve this visually in three seconds. Look at the numerators ($2, 8, 64, 10$); the smallest number is $2$, and $2$ divides all the others perfectly, so the top must be $2$. Eliminate options (c) and (d). Look at the denominators; they are all multiples of $3$, with $81$ being the largest and a multiple of the others. So the bottom must be $81$. Option (b) is the instant winner.
### Common Pitfall
Students who forget the formula often calculate the HCF for both numerators and denominators (resulting in $\frac{2}{3}$) or calculate the LCM for both (resulting in $\frac{160}{81}$). Always remember: "HCF on top for HCF questions."
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is $\frac{2}{81}$.**