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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

216,000
216,000

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 1

1 is a prime factor.

2. Find the prime factors of 8

Tree view of the prime factors of 8: 2, 2 and 2

The prime factors of 8 are 2, 2 and 2.

3. Find the prime factors of 27

Tree view of the prime factors of 27: 3, 3 and 3

The prime factors of 27 are 3, 3 and 3.

4. Find the prime factors of 64

Tree view of the prime factors of 64: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 and 2

The prime factors of 64 are 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 and 2.

5. Find the prime factors of 125

Tree view of the prime factors of 125: 5, 5 and 5

The prime factors of 125 are 5, 5 and 5.

6. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (1, 2, 3, 5) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber1 8 27 64 125 Max. occurrence
1100001
2030606
3003003
5000033

The prime factor 1 occurs one time, while 2, 3 and 5 occur more than once.

7. Calculate the LCM

The least common multiple is the product of all factors in the greatest number of their occurrence.

LCM = 1222222333555

LCM = 1263353

LCM = 216,000

The least common multiple of 1, 8, 27, 64 and 125 is 216,000.

Why learn this

The least common multiple (LCM), sometimes called the lowest common multiple or least common divisor, is helpful for understanding the relationships between numbers. For example, if it takes Earth 365 days to orbit the sun and it takes Venus 225 days to orbit the sun and both are in perfect alignment at the time this scenario is given, how long will it take for Earth and Venus to align again? We can use LCM to determine that the answer would be 16,425 days.

LCM is also a very important part of many mathematical concepts that also have real-world applications. For example, we use LCMs when adding and subtracting fractions, which we use quite frequently.