HCF and LCM using Prime Factorization

Description:

This worksheet introduces students to prime factorization as a strategy to calculate the Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM). It provides clear, step-by-step instructions followed by guided practice, including both numerical exercises and word problems set in real-life contexts.

Students are asked to:
- Find prime factorizations
- Identify and apply common/uncommon factors
- Distinguish between situations requiring HCF or LCM
- Solve and explain solutions to contextual problems

This activity supports Kerndoelen 22 and 23:
- Understanding the structure and relationships between numbers (e.g. multiples, factors)
- Practising accurate and approximate calculations in meaningful contexts

From a CLIL perspective, the worksheet:
- Encourages the use of mathematical English (e.g. “prime factor,” “common factor,” “multiple”)
- Guides learners with a clear task structure in English
- Promotes reading comprehension and writing skills through story problems
- Helps learners make real-world connections with mathematical concepts

It is ideal for lower-secondary bilingual classes (TTO1), offering scaffolding for both content learning and language development.