☰ Contents1.2 · The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic33/101

But the shortcut breaks

Watch out: for three numbers, HCF × LCM is notthe product. 6 × 72 × 120 ≠ HCF × LCM. The tidy “HCF × LCM = product” identity is a two-number trick only.

Check yourself

Quick check
Find the HCF and LCM of 8, 9 and 25.