Question

An army contingent of $616$ members is to march behind an army band of $32$ members in a parade. The two groups are to march in the same number of columns. What is the maximum number of columns in which they can march?

• A. $10$
• B. $8$
• C. $9$
• D. $16$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $8$

The maximum number of columns in which they can march is the HCF or $616$ and $32$.
Prime factorisation of $616=2\times 2\times 2\times 7\times 11$
Prime factorisation of $32=2\times 2\times 2\times 2\times 2$

HCF of $616,32=2\times 2\times 2$

$=8$