Enter an equation or problem
Camera input is not recognized!

Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

7,154,287,140
7,154,287,140

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 10,140

Tree view of the prime factors of 10,140: 2, 2, 3, 5, 13 and 13

The prime factors of 10,140 are 2, 2, 3, 5, 13 and 13.

2. Find the prime factors of 705,551

Tree view of the prime factors of 705,551: 7, 7, 7, 11, 11 and 17

The prime factors of 705,551 are 7, 7, 7, 11, 11 and 17.

3. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber10,140705,551Max. occurrence
2202
3101
5101
7033
11022
13202
17011

The prime factors 3, 5 and 17 occur one time, while 2, 7, 11 and 13 occur more than once.

4. Calculate the LCM

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

LCM = 22357771111131317

LCM = 22357311213217

LCM = 7,154,287,140

The least common multiple of 10,140 and 705,551 is 7,154,287,140.

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.