The L.C.M. of two numbers is 12 times their H.C.F. The sum of H.C.F. and L.C.M. is 403. If one number is 93, find the other.
Aptitude
HCF and LCM
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A124
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B128
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C134
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DNone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: 124
Explanation
### Concept & Algebraic Logic
This problem requires converting a word problem into a simple system of linear equations to isolate the H.C.F. and L.C.M., followed by applying the foundational product formula.
$$ \text{First Number} \times \text{Second Number} = \text{H.C.F.} \times \text{L.C.M.} $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given Relationships:**
1. $\text{L.C.M.} = 12 \times \text{H.C.F.}$
2. $\text{H.C.F.} + \text{L.C.M.} = 403$
3. First number ($N_1$) = 93
* **Step 1: Find H.C.F. and L.C.M.**
* Substitute the first equation into the second:
* $\text{H.C.F.} + (12 \times \text{H.C.F.}) = 403$
* $13 \times \text{H.C.F.} = 403$
* $\text{H.C.F.} = \frac{403}{13} = 31$
* Now find the L.C.M.: $\text{L.C.M.} = 12 \times 31 = 372$.
* **Step 2: Find the Second Number ($N_2$)**
* Use the product formula: $N_1 \times N_2 = \text{H.C.F.} \times \text{L.C.M.}$
* $93 \times N_2 = 31 \times 372$
* Isolate $N_2$: $N_2 = \frac{31 \times 372}{93}$
* **Step 3: Simplify and Solve**
* Notice that 93 is a direct multiple of 31 ($31 \times 3 = 93$).
* Therefore, $\frac{31}{93} = \frac{1}{3}$.
* $N_2 = \frac{372}{3} = 124$.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Avoid calculating large products. In the final step $N_2 = \frac{31 \times 372}{93}$, NEVER multiply $31 \times 372$ first. Always look for cross-cancellations vertically and diagonally. Spotting that $93 \div 31 = 3$ reduces the problem to a simple division of $372 \div 3$, saving precious time and eliminating multiplication errors.
### Common Pitfall
When setting up the algebraic translation, students sometimes incorrectly write $H + 12 = 403$ instead of $H + 12H = 403$. Always pay attention to the word "times" (multiplier) versus "more than" (addition). "12 times their H.C.F." requires multiplicative scaling.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is 124.**