Numbers Finder by Product and LCM

Input the product and least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers to instantly determine the numbers.

Calculate Two Numbers Using Their Product and LCM

Result

How to Calculate Two Numbers Using Their Product and LCM

To find two numbers \( x \) and \( y \) when their product (\( P \)) and least common multiple (LCM) are given, we rely on the relationship between the product, LCM, and greatest common divisor (GCD).

Steps

Understand the formula

Using the fundamental relationship: \( x \times y = \text{LCM}(x, y) \times \text{GCD}(x, y) \) Rearrange to solve for GCD: \( \text{GCD}(x, y) = \frac{P}{\text{LCM}} \)

2. Break down \( x \) and \( y \)

Represent \( x = \text{GCD} \cdot a \) and \( y = \text{GCD} \cdot b \), where \( a \) and \( b \) are coprime (mutually prime).

From \( x \cdot y = P \), we derive \( a \cdot b = \frac{P}{\text{GCD}^2} \).

3. Identify coprime factors of \( a \) and \( b \)

Factorize \( a \cdot b \) to find all possible pairs \( (a, b) \). Select pairs where \( a \) and \( b \) are coprime (no common factors other than 1).

4. Calculate \( x \) and \( y \)

For each coprime pair \( (a, b) \), compute: \( x = \text{GCD} \times a \) \( y = \text{GCD} \times b \)

Examples

Example 1: The product of two numbers is 2208, and their least common multiple is 552. What are the numbers?

Solution:

1. Compute GCD:

\( \text{GCD} = \frac{2208}{552} = 4 \)

2. Solve for \( a \cdot b \):

\( a \times b = \frac{2208}{4^2} = 138 \)

3. Find coprime factor pairs of 138:

Factorize \( 138 \): \( (1, 138), (2, 69), (3, 46), (6, 23) \) .

These factor pairs all satisfy the coprime condition.

4. Compute \( x \) and \( y \):

\( x_1 = 4 \times 1 = 4 \)

\( y_1 = 4 \times 138 = 552 \)

\( x_2 = 4 \times 2 = 8 \)

\( y_2 = 4 \times 69 = 276 \)

\( x_3 = 4 \times 3 = 12 \)

\( y_3 = 4 \times 46 = 184 \)

\( x_4 = 4 \times 6 = 24 \)

\( y_4 = 4 \times 23 = 92 \)

Result: The two numbers are (552, 4), (276, 8), (184, 12) or (92, 24).

Example 2: The product of two numbers is 2560, and their least common multiple is 320. Find the two numbers.

Solution:

1. Compute GCD:

\( \text{GCD} = \frac{2560}{320} = 8 \)

2. Solve for \( a \cdot b \):

\( a \times b = \frac{2560}{8^2} = 40 \)

3. Find coprime factor pairs of 40:

Factorize \( 40 \): \( (1, 40), (2, 20), (4, 10), (5, 8)\)

Identify coprime pairs: \( (1, 40)\) and \( (5, 8)\)

4. Compute \( x \) and \( y \):

\( x_1 = 8 \times 1 = 8 \)

\( y_1 = 8 \times 40 = 320 \)

\( x_2 = 8 \times 5 = 40 \)

\( y_2 = 8 \times 8 = 64 \)

Result: The two numbers are (8, 320) or (40, 64).