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Co-Prime Scaling Tool

GMAT glossary · Playbook

Definition

With g = gcd(A,B), write A = g · x and B = g · y where gcd(x,y)=1. Then mathrmLCM(A,B) = g · x · y.

Co-Prime Scaling Tool in plain English

Pull Co-Prime Scaling Tool when you need LCM or product structure once a GCD is known. Clues include GCD and LCM together, write A = g x and B = g y. Blueprint: With g=gcd(A,B), write A=g· x and B=g· y where gcd(x,y)=1. Then mathrmLCM(A,B)=g· x· y. Why it beats the long way: Prime-factoring both numbers from scratch is slower once g is known. Micro-example: If gcd(A,B)=6, write A=6x and B=6y with gcd(x,y)=1. Then mathrmLCM(A,B)=6xy. For A=18, B=30: x=3, y=5, so LCM =6· 3· 5=90.

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