Real Numbers

1.LCM (850, 500) is: (2024)

(a) 850 × 50 (b) 17 x 500 (c) 17 x 52 x 22 (d) 17 × 53 × 2

Answer. (b) 17  500

2.Prove that 6-4√5 is an irrational number, given that √5 is an

irrational
number. (2024)

Answer. (A) Let us assume 6 – 4 5 = x is a rational number

Now RHS is rational but LHS is irrational. 1

⸫ Our assumption is wrong
Hence 6 – 4 5 is irrational.

3.Show that 11 × 19 × 23 + 3 × 11 is not a prime number. (2024)

Answer. (B) 11  19  23 + 3  11 = 11  (19  23 + 3)

 The given number has more than two
factors Hence it is not a prime number.

4.If two positive integers p and q can be expressed as p = 18

a²b¹ and q=20 a³b², where a and b are prime numbers, then
LCM (p, q) is: (2024)
(a)2 a²b²
(b) 180 a²b²
(c)12 a²b²
(d) 180 a³b4

Answer. (d) 180

a3 b4

5. Prove that 5-2√3 is an irrational number. It is given that √3 is an

irrational
number. (2024)

Answer. Assuming 5 – 2√3 to be a rational number.

Here RHS is rational but LHS is irrational.
Therefore our assumption is wrong.
Hence, 5 – 2√3 is an irrational number.

6.Show that the number 5×11×17+3×11 is a composite

number. (2024) Answer. 5  11  17 + 3  11

= 11  (5  17 + 3) = 11 88 or 11  11  23
It means the number can be expressed as a product of two
factors other than 1, therefore the given number is a composite
number.

7.In a teachers' workshop, the number of teachers teaching

French, Hindi and English are 48, 80 and 144 respectively. Find
the minimum number of rooms required if in each room the
same number of teachers are seated and all of them are of the
same subject. (2024)

Answer. Minimum number of rooms required means there

should be maximum number of teachers in a room. We have to
find HCF of 48, 80 and 144.
48 = 24  3
80 = 24  5
144 = 24  32
HCF (48, 80, 144) = 24 = 16

8.Directions:
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement
of Reason (R). Select the correct option from the following options:
(a)Both, Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true. Reason
(R) explains Assertion (A) completely.
(b) Both, Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true. Reason (R)
does not explain Assertion (A).
(c)Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
Q. Assertion (A): If the graph of a polynomial touches x-axis at
only one point, then the polynomial cannot be a quadratic
polynomial.
Reason (R): A polynomial of degree n(n >1) can have at most n
zeroes. (2024)

Answer. (d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.

1.1 Introduc
tion MCQ
1.The total number of factors of a prime number is
(a) 1
(b) 0
(c) 2
(d) 3 (2020)
1.2 The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic
MCQ
2.The ratio of HCF to LCM of the least composite number and
the least prime number is
(a)1:2
(b) 2:1
(c)1:1
(d) 1:3 (2023)
3.If HCF (39,91) = 13, then LCM (39,91) is
(a)91
(b) 273
(c)39
(d) 3549 (Term I, 2021-22)
4.Two positive numbers have their HCF as 12 and their product
as 6336. The number of pairs possible for the numbers, is
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 1 (Term I, 2021-22)
5.If 'n' is any natural number, then (12)" cannot end with the digit
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 8
(d) 0 (Term I, 2021-22)
6.The number 385 can be expressed as the product of prime factors
as
(a)5x11x13
(c) 5x7x13
(b) 5x7x11
(d) 5x11x17 (Term I, 2021-22)
7.The HCF and the LCM of 12, 21 and 15 respectively, are
(a)3, 140
(c) 3,420
(b) 12,420
(d) 420, 3 (2020)
VSA (1 mark)
8.The LCM of two numbers is 182 and their HCF is 13. If one of
the numbers is 26, find the other. (2020)
9.The LCM of two numbers is 9 times their HCF. The sum of LCM
and HCF is
500. Find the HCF of the two numbers. (2019C)
10. If HCF (336, 54) = 6, find LCM (336, 54). (2019)
11. The HCF of two numbers a and b is 5 and their LCM
is 200 Find the product ab. (AI 2019)
12. What is the HCF of smallest prime number and the
smallest composite number? (2018)
13. Show that any number of the form 6", where nЄN can never
end with digit
0. (Board Term 1, 2017)
14. The HCF of two numbers is 27 and their LCM is 162, if one
of the number is 54, find the other number. (Board Term 1,
2017)
15. The LCM of two numbers is 2079 and their HCF is 27. If
one of the number is 297. Find the other number. (Board Term
1, 2015)
SAI (2 marks)
16. Find the least number which when divided by 12, 16
and 24 leaves remainder 7 in each case. (2023)
17. Two numbers are in the ratio 2 : 3 and their LCM is 180
What is the HCF of these numbers? (2023)
18. Explain why 2 x 3 x 5 +5 and 5 x 7 x 11 + 7 x 5 are
composite numbers. (2021C)
19. If HCF of 65 and 117 is expressible in the form 65n-
117, then find the value of n. (2019)
20. Find the HCF of 612 and 1314 using prime factorisation. (Al
2019)
21. Express 5050 as product of its prime factors. Is it unique?
(Board Term 1, 2017)
22. Show that the numbers 231 and 396 are not (Board
Term 1, 2017) SA II (3 marks)
23. Find HCF and LCM of 404 and 96 and verify that HCF x
LCM = Product of the two given numbers. (2018)
24. An army contingent of 678 soldiers is to march behind an
army band of 36 members in a Republic Day parade. The two
groups are to march in the same number of columns. What is the
maximum number of columns they can march? (Board Term 1,
2017)
25. On a morning walk, three persons steps off together and their
steps
measure 40 cm, 42 cm, and 45 cm respectively. What is the
minimum distance each should walk so that each can cover same
distance in complete steps? (Board Term 1, 2015)
LA (4/5/6 marks)
26. A sweet shopkeeper prepares 396 gulab jamuns and 342
ras-gullas. He packs them into containers. Each container
consists of either gulab jamun or ras-gullas but have equal
number of pieces. Find the number of pieces he should put in
each box so that number of boxes are least. (Board Term 1,
2017)
27. Find the largest possible positive integer that divides 125, 162
and 259
leaving remainder 5, 6 and 7 respectively. (Board Term 1, 2017)
1.3 Revisiting Irrational Numbers
SAI (2 marks)
28.

29.

30. Given that √2 is irrational, prove that (5+3√2) is an

irrational number. (2018)
31. How many irrational numbers lie between √2 and √3 ?
Write any two of them. (Board Term I, 2017)
SA II (3 marks)
32. Prove that √3 is an irrational number. (2023)
33. Prove that √5 is an irrational number. (2023, NCERT, AI 2019)
34. Prove that √2 is an irrational number. (2020 C, NCERT, Delhi
2019)
35. Prove that 2+5√√3 is an irrational number, given that √3
is an irrational number. (2019)
LA (4/5/6 marks)
36. Define irrational number and prove that 3+2√5 is an
irrational number. (NCERT, Board Term 1, 2017)
37. Prove that 2+√√5 is an irrational number. (Board Term 1,
2015)
1.2 The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic
MCQ
1.Let a and b be two positive integers such that a = p3 q4 and
b = p2 q3, where p and q are prime numbers. If HCF(a, b) =
pmqn and LCM(a, b) = pr qs, then (m + n)(r + s) =
(a) 15
(b) 30
(c) 35
(d) 72 (2022-23)
2.Statement A (Assertion): If product of two numbers is 5780
and their HCF is 17, then their LCM is 340.
Statement R (Reason): HCF is always a factor of LCM.
(a)Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is
the correct explanation of assertion (A).
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason
(R) is not the correct explanation of assertion (A).
(c)Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true. (2022-23)
3.The ratio of LCM and HCF of the least composite and
the least prime number is
(a)1: 2
(b) 2: 1
(c)1: 1
(d) 1: 3 (Term I, 2021-22)
4.If LCM (x, 18) = 36 and HCF (x, 18) = 2, then x is
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 5 (Term I, 2021-22)
5.If sum of two numbers is 1215 and their HCF is 81, then
the possible number of pairs of such numbers are
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 5 (Term I, 2021-22)
6.The LCM of two prime numbers p and q (p > q) is 221. Find
the value of 3p – q.
(a) 4
(b) 28
(c) 38
(d) 48 (Term I, 2021-22)
VSA (1 mark)
7.If xy = 180 and HCF (x, y) = 3, then find the LCM
(x,y). (2020-21) SAI (2 marks)
8.3 bells ring at an interval of 4, 7 and 14 minutes. All three bells
rang at 6 am, when the three bells will ring together next?
(2020-21)
SA II (3 marks)
9.Given that √3 is irrational,prove that 5 + 2+2√3 is irrational.
(2022-23)
1.3 Revisiting Irrational Numbers
MC
Q
10.

(a) rational
(b) irrational
(c)whole number
(d) integer (Term I,
2021-22) SA II (3
marks)
11. Prove that 2 - √3 is irrational, given that √3 is irrational. (2020-
21)
 SOLUTIONS
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1.(c): Total number of factors of a prime number is 2 i.e., 1 and
number itself.
2.(a): Least composite number = 4 Least prime number = 2
.. HCF = 2, LCM = 4

3.(b): We know that,

HCF x LCM = Product of two numbers

4.(a): Given, HCF = 12

Let two numbers be 12a and
12b So, 12a × 12b = 6336 =>
ab = 44
We can write 44 as product of two numbers in
these ways: ab=1x44 = 2x22=4x11
Here, we will take a = 1 and b = 44; a = 4
and b = 11. We do not take ab = 2 × 22
because 2 and 22 are not co-prime to each
other.
For a = 1 and b = 44, 1st no. = 12a = 12, 2nd no. =
12b = 528 For a = 4 and b = 11, 1st no. = 12a =
48, 2nd no. =
12b = 132
Hence, we get two pairs of numbers, (12, 528) and (48, 132).
5.(d): For n = 1, 2, 3, 4 ...
(12)n cannot end
with 0. 6.
:- Prime factorisation of 385 = 5 x 7 x 11
7.(c): We have,
12=2x2x3=22x3 21=3×7
15=3x5
:- HCF (12, 21, 15) = 3 and
LCM (12, 21, 15) = 22x3x5x7 = 420
8.Let the other number be x.
As, HCF (a, b) x LCM (a, b) = axb

Hence, other number is 91.

9.Let a and b be two number
such that LCM (a, b) = 9.HCF
(a, b) ...(i)
and LCM (a, b) + HCF (a, b) = 500 ...(ii)
Using (i) in (ii), we get
9HCF (a, b) + HCF (a, b) = 500
⇒ 10 HCF (a, b) = 500 ⇒ HCF (a, b) = 50
10. Since, HCF (a, b) x LCM (a, b) = axb
:- HCF (336, 54) × LCM (336, 54) = 336 × 54
6 x LCM(336, 54) = 18144

11. We know that, HCF (a, b) x LCM (a, b) = axb

⇒ 5×200= ab⇒ ab = 1000
12. Smallest prime
number = 2 Smallest
composite number = 4
HCF (2, 4) = 2
13. The prime factor of 6" = (2 x 3)n = 2n x 3n.
Therefore prime factorisation of 6n does not contain any prime
factor 5. Hence, 6n can never ends with the digit 0 for any natural
number.
14. Let the other number
be x. As, HCF (a, b) x LCM
(a, b) = axb

Hence, other number is 81.

15. Let the other number be x.
We know that, HCF (a, b) x LCM (a, b) = axb
:. 27 × 2079 = 297 × x

Hence, other number is 189.

16. Given, least number which when divided by 12, 16
and 24 leaves remainder 7 in each case
:- least number = LCM(12, 16, 24)+7=48 +7 = 55
17. Let the two numbers be 2x
and 3x. LCM of 2x and 3x = 6x,
HCF(2x, 3x) = x Now, 6x = 180
[Given]

:- HCF (2x, 3x) = x = 30

18. We have, 2 x 3 x 5 +5 and 5 x 7
x 11+7x5. We can write these
numbers as:
2×3×5+5=5(2×3+1)
= 1x5x7
and 5 x 7 x 11+7x5=5×7 (11+1)
=5x7x12
1x5x7x12
Since, on simplifying, we find that both the
numbers have more than two factors. So, these are
composite numbers.
19. Since, HCF (65, 117) = 13
Given HCF (65, 117) = 65n - 117
13=65n - 117
65n=13+ 117⇒n=2.
20. Prime factorisation of 612 and 1314 are
612 = 2×2×3× 3 × 17
1314=2×3× 3 × 73
:- HCF (612, 1314) = 2 × 3 × 3 = 18
21. 50502x5x5x 101 = 2 x 52 x 101 Yes, it is unique.
22. Prime factorisation of 231 and 396 are
231 = 3 × 7×11
396=2×2×3×3×11
HCF (231, 396) = 3 × 11=33+1
Hence, the two numbers are not co-prime.
23. Using the factor tree method, we have

= 404 = 2 x 2 x 101 and 96 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3

:- HCF of 404 and 96 = 2 x 2 = 4
LCM of 404 and 96 = 2×2×2×2×2×3× 101 = 9696
Also 404 × 96 = 38784
LCM X HCF = 9696 × 4 = 38784
Thus, HCF x LCM = Product of two numbers.
24. Number of soldiers in an army contingent
=678=2×3× 113
Number of members in an army band = 36 = 2×2×3×3 The
maximum number of columns such that two groups can
march in same number of columns is HCF of 678 and 36.
HCF (678, 36)=2×3=6
So, the maximum number of columns they can march is 6.
25. The prime factorisation of 40,
42, 45 are 40=2×2×2×5=23x51
42=2×3×7
45=3x3x5=32x5
:- LCM (40, 42, 45) = 23 x 32 x 51 x 71
=8×9×5×7 = 2520
:- Required distance = 2520 cm or 0.0252 km.
26. Number of gulab jamuns = 396 = 2×2×3×3×11 Number of
ras-gullas = 342 = 2×3×3×19
HCF (396, 342) = 2 × 3 × 3 = 18
So, shopkeeper will put 18 sweets in each box such that number
of boxes are least.
27. It is given that the required number when divides 125, 162,
259 leaves the remainder 5, 6, 7 respectively. This means that
125 - 5 = 120, 162-6=156,
259-7 = 252 are divisible by the required number. The required
number is HCF of all these numbers. The prime factorisation of
120, 156, 252 are
120=2×2×2×3×5
156=2×2×3× 13; 252 = 2×2×3×3×7
HCF (120, 156, 252) = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12
Hence, the required number is 12.
28. Suppose 5+2√7 is a rational number.
:- We can find two integers a, b(b + 0) such that

But this contradicts the fact that √7 is an irrational number. Hence,

our assumption is wrong. Thus, 5+2√7 is an irrational number.
29.

But this contradicts the fact that √7 is an irrational number. Hence,

our supposition is wrong.

30. Let (5+ 3√√2) is rational.

But this contradicts the fact that √2 is irrational. Hence, 5+3√2

an also irrational number.
31. There are infinite irrational numbers between √2 and √3.
Examples are
√2.1 and √2.3.
32. Let us assume that √3 is a rational number
Squaring on both sides, we get

⇒ 3 divides a ...(i)
⇒ a = 3c, where c is an integer
Again, squaring on both sides,
we get a² = 9c2
⇒ 3b2 = 9c2 = b² = 3c² ⇒ 3 divides b²
⇒ 3 divides b ...(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we get 3 divides both a and b.
⇒ a and b are not co-prime integers.
This contradicts the fact that a and b are co-primes. Hence, √3 is an
irrational number.
33. Let us assume that √5 is a rational number.

5 divides q²
5 divides a
⇒ a = 5c, where c is an integer Again, squaring on both
sides, we get a² = 25c²
= 5b2=25c2 = b² = 5c2
= 5 divides b²
= 5 divides b
From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both a and b.
⇒ a and b are not co-prime integers. Hence, our supposition is
wrong. Thus,
√5 is an irrational number.
34. Let us assume √2 be a rational number.

= 2 divides p² = 2 divides p
So, p = 2a, where a is some integer. Again squaring on both sides,
we get
= q² = 4a² = 2q2=4a²
⇒ q² = 2a2
⇒ 2 divides q² = 2 divides
q From (ii) and (iii), we get
2 divides both p and q.
:- p and q are not co-prime
integers. Hence, our
assumption is wrong.
Thus, √2 is an irrational number.
35. Suppose 2+5 √3 is a rational number.
:- We can find two integers a, b (b + 0) such that

But this contradicts the fact that √3 is an irrational number.

Hence, our assumption is wrong. Thus, 2+5√3 is an irrational
number.
36. Irrational number is a number which can not be

= 5 divides a ...(i)
a = 5c, where c is an integer
= Again, squaring on both sides,
we get a² = 25c²
⇒ 5b² = 25c² = b² = 5c² ⇒ 5 divides b²
⇒ 5 divides b ...(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both a and b.
⇒ a and b are not co-prime integers. This contradicts the fact
that a and b are co-primes. Hence, √5 is an irrational number.
Now, to prove 3+2√5 is an irrational number. Suppose 3+2√√5
is a rational number
:- We can find two integers a, b(b + 0) such that

But this contradicts the fact that √5 is an irrational number.

Hence, our assumption is wrong. Thus, 3+2√5 is an irrational
number.
37. First we prove that √5 is an irrational number. Let us
assume that √5 is a rational number.
5 divides a ...(i)
⇒ a = 5c, where c is an integer
Again, squaring on both sides,
we get a² = 25c²
⇒ 5b2 = 25c² = b² =
5c² 5 divides b²
5 divides b ...(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both a and b.
⇒ a and b are not co-prime integers.
This contradicts the fact that a and b are co-
primes. Hence, √5 is an irrational number.
Now, to prove that 2+√5 is an irrational
number. Suppose 2+√5 is a rational
number.
:- We can find two integers a, b (b + 0) such that

But this contradicts the fact that √√5 is an irrational number.

Hence, our assumption is wrong. Thus, 3+2√5 is an irrational
number.
37. First we prove that √5 is an irrational number. Let us assume
that √5 is a rational number.
⇒ 5 divides a ...(i)
⇒ a = 5c, where c is an integer
Again, squaring on both sides,
we get a² = 25c²
⇒ 5b² = 25c²⇒
b²=5c² 5 divides b²
5 divides b ...(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both a and b.
⇒ a and b are not co-prime integers.
This contradicts the fact that a and b are co-
primes. Hence, √5 is an irrational number.
Now, to prove that 2+√5 is an irrational
number. Suppose 2+√5 is a rational
number.
:- We can find two integers a, b (b + 0) such that

= √5 is a rational number as a, b are integers and so,

But this contradicts the fact that √5 is an irrational

number. Hence our assumption is wrong.
Thus, 2+√5 is an irrational number.
 CBSE Sample Questions
1.(c): Given a = p³q* and b = p²q3
:- LCM (a, b) = p³q4 and HCF (a, b) = p²q³
Comparing the obtained LCM and HCF with
the given LCM and HCF, we get
m=2, n=3, r = 3 and s = 4
.. (m + n) (r+s) = 5x7 = 35 (1)
2.(b): Product of two numbers is equal to
Product of their HCF and LCM.
So, 5780 = 340 × 17 = 5780
HCF is always a factor of LCM.
So, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true
but reason is not correct explanation of
Assertion (A). (1)
3.(b): Least composite number is 4 and the
least prime number is 2.
LCM (4, 2): HCF (4, 2) = 4 : 2 = 2:1 (1)
4.(c): We know that, LCM x HCF =
product of the numbers.
36×2=18xx ⇒ x=4 (1)
5.(c): Since HCF = 81, two numbers can be
taken as 81x and 81y.
According to question, we
have 81x+81y=1215 ⇒
x+y=15
which gives four pairs as
(1, 14), (2, 13), (4, 11), (7, 8) (1)
6.(c): LCM of two prime numbers =
product of the numbers
⇒ 221=px q
Also, 221 = 13 x 17
So, p = 17 and q = 13 (p > q)
:- 3p-q=51-13=38 (1)
7.Given HCF (x, y) = 3
⇒ (LCM) (3) = 180 (1/2)
[HCF x LCM = Product of the
numbers] LCM = 60 (1/2)
8.Let us first write the prime factorisation
of 4, 7 and 14, which is given below.
4=2x2 (1/2)
7=7x1 (1/2)
14=2x7 (1/2)
:- LCM (4, 7, 14)=2x2x7=28 (1/2)
Thus, the three bells will ring together again at 6:28 am.
9.Suppose 5 + 2√3 is rational, then it must be in the form of p/q
where p and q are co-prime integers and q ≠ 0. That is,

Since p, q, 5 and 2 are integers and q ≠ O, R.H.S. of equation

(i) is rational. But L.H.S. of (i) is √3 which is irrational. This
contradicts the fact. (1)
This contradiction has arisen due to our wrong assumption
that 5 + 2√3 is rational. So, 5 + 2√3 is irrational. (1)
10.

11. Let us suppose that (2-√3) is rational. (1/2)

So, we can find co-prime numbers a and b(b + 0) such that
But this contradicts the fact that √3 is
irrational. (1/2) So, our supposition is wrong.
(1/2)
Hence, 2-√√3 is irrational. (1/2)