Q) If two positive integers a and b are written as a=\(x^3y^2\) and b=\(xy^3\); \(x, y\) are prime numbers, then HCF (a,b) is

• 1) \(xy\)
• 2) \(xy^2\)
• 3) \(x^3y^3\)
• 4) \(x^2y^2\)

To find the HCF of a and b, we have to see the common terms in a and b
a = \(x^3y^2\) =\( x*x*x*y*y\)
b = \(xy^3\) =\( x*y*y*y\)
HCF =\( x * y * y\) = \(xy^2\)