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Question

A and B are two prime numbers such that A > B and their LCM is 209. The value of A 2 - B is:

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2020 (Tier-2) Statistics Previous Year Paper 3 (28-Jan-2022)
The correct answer is

350

Understanding Prime Numbers and LCM

The question asks us to find the value of \(A^2 - B\), where \(A\) and \(B\) are prime numbers, \(A > B\), and their Least Common Multiple (LCM) is 209.

Let's first understand what prime numbers are. A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. Examples include 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, etc.

The LCM of two numbers is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of both numbers.

LCM of Two Prime Numbers

A key property of two distinct prime numbers is that their only common factor is 1. This means their Highest Common Factor (HCF) is 1.

For any two numbers, say X and Y, the product of their LCM and HCF is equal to the product of the numbers themselves:

\(\text{LCM}(X, Y) \times \text{HCF}(X, Y) = X \times Y\)

Since \(A\) and \(B\) are prime numbers and \(A > B\), they must be distinct. Thus, their HCF is 1.

\(\text{HCF}(A, B) = 1\)

Using the relationship above, we get:

\(\text{LCM}(A, B) \times 1 = A \times B\)

So, the LCM of two distinct prime numbers is simply their product.

Finding the Prime Numbers A and B

We are given that \(\text{LCM}(A, B) = 209\). Since \(A\) and \(B\) are distinct prime numbers, we know that \(A \times B = \text{LCM}(A, B)\).

\(A \times B = 209\)

To find \(A\) and \(B\), we need to find the prime factors of 209. We can test small prime numbers:

  • 209 is not divisible by 2 (it's odd).
  • The sum of digits is \(2+0+9 = 11\), which is not divisible by 3, so 209 is not divisible by 3.
  • 209 does not end in 0 or 5, so it's not divisible by 5.
  • \(209 \div 7\). \(7 \times 20 = 140\), \(209 - 140 = 69\). 69 is not a multiple of 7. \(7 \times 9 = 63\), \(7 \times 10 = 70\). So, 209 is not divisible by 7.
  • \(209 \div 11\). \(11 \times 10 = 110\), \(209 - 110 = 99\). \(11 \times 9 = 99\). So, \(11 \times 10 + 11 \times 9 = 11 \times (10+9) = 11 \times 19\).

So, the prime factors of 209 are 11 and 19. Both 11 and 19 are prime numbers.

We have \(A \times B = 11 \times 19\).

We are given the condition that \(A > B\). Since 19 is greater than 11, we must have:

\(A = 19\)

\(B = 11\)

Let's verify: Are A and B prime numbers? Yes, 19 and 11 are prime. Is \(A > B\)? Yes, \(19 > 11\). Is their LCM 209? Yes, \(\text{LCM}(19, 11) = 19 \times 11 = 209\). The values fit all the conditions.

Calculating the Value of A² - B

Now that we have \(A = 19\) and \(B = 11\), we can calculate the value of \(A^2 - B\).

\(A^2 - B = 19^2 - 11\)

First, calculate \(19^2\):

\(19^2 = 19 \times 19\)

1 9
19 1 × 1 = 1 1 × 9 = 9
9 × 1 = 9 9 × 9 = 81
Multiply and Add diagonally:
1
9 + 9 = 18 (carry 1)
81 (carry 8 from 81, add 8 to 18+1=19 --> 19, carry 1 from 19, add 1 to 1 --> 2)
Or standard multiplication:
19
x 19
---
171 (19 × 9)
190 (19 × 10)
---
361

So, \(19^2 = 361\).

Now substitute this value back into the expression \(A^2 - B\):

\(A^2 - B = 361 - 11\)

\(361 - 11 = 350\)

The value of \(A^2 - B\) is 350.

Conclusion

We found that the two prime numbers A and B, with \(A > B\) and LCM 209, are \(A=19\) and \(B=11\). We then calculated \(A^2 - B\) as \(19^2 - 11 = 361 - 11 = 350\).

Revision Table: Key Steps

Step Action Result
1 Understand properties of prime numbers and LCM for primes. For distinct primes A, B, LCM(A, B) = A × B.
2 Set up equation using given LCM. A × B = 209.
3 Find prime factors of 209. 209 = 11 × 19.
4 Assign values to A and B based on A > B. A = 19, B = 11.
5 Calculate \(A^2\). \(19^2 = 361\).
6 Calculate \(A^2 - B\). \(361 - 11 = 350\).

Additional Information: Properties of Prime Numbers and LCM

  • Prime Numbers: Numbers greater than 1 divisible only by 1 and themselves (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, ...). The number 1 is not a prime number. 2 is the only even prime number.
  • Composite Numbers: Natural numbers greater than 1 that are not prime (e.g., 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, ...).
  • Prime Factorization: Expressing a composite number as a product of its prime factors. For example, \(12 = 2^2 \times 3\). Finding prime factors is crucial for calculating LCM and HCF.
  • HCF (Highest Common Factor): The largest positive integer that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder. For example, HCF(12, 18) = 6.
  • LCM (Least Common Multiple): The smallest positive integer that is a multiple of both numbers. For example, LCM(12, 18) = 36.
  • Relationship between LCM and HCF: For any two positive integers a and b, \(\text{LCM}(a, b) \times \text{HCF}(a, b) = a \times b\). This property is particularly simple for distinct prime numbers where HCF is always 1.
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Important Questions from LCM and HCF

  1. The greatest three-digit number which is divisible by 14, 28, and 42 is:

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  3. A number is three times another number and their HCF is 8. What is the sum of the squares of the numbers?

  4. The HCF of 2091, 3485 and 4879 is x. The sum of the digits of x is:

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