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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

777,000
777,000

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 100

Tree view of the prime factors of 100: 2, 2, 5 and 5

The prime factors of 100 are 2, 2, 5 and 5.

2. Find the prime factors of 1,000

Tree view of the prime factors of 1,000: 2, 2, 2, 5, 5 and 5

The prime factors of 1,000 are 2, 2, 2, 5, 5 and 5.

3. Find the prime factors of 210

Tree view of the prime factors of 210: 2, 3, 5 and 7

The prime factors of 210 are 2, 3, 5 and 7.

4. Find the prime factors of 185

Tree view of the prime factors of 185: 5 and 37

The prime factors of 185 are 5 and 37.

5. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 3, 5, 7, 37) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber100 1,000210 185 Max. occurrence
223103
300101
523113
700101
3700011

The prime factors 3, 7 and 37 occur one time, while 2 and 5 occur more than once.

6. Calculate the LCM

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

LCM = 2223555737

LCM = 23353737

LCM = 777,000

The least common multiple of 100, 1,000, 210 and 185 is 777,000.

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.