Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

Step-by-step explanation

Why learn this

Step-by-step explanation

Why learn this

Terms and topics

Related links

Step-by-step explanation

Why learn this

Terms and topics

Related links

1. Find the prime factors of 12

2. Find the prime factors of 16

3. Find the prime factors of 18

4. Find the prime factors of 21

5. Find the prime factors of 28

6. Build a prime factors table

7. Calculate the LCM

1. Find the prime factors of 12

2. Find the prime factors of 16

3. Find the prime factors of 18

4. Find the prime factors of 21

5. Find the prime factors of 28

6. Build a prime factors table

7. Calculate the LCM

1. Find the prime factors of 12

2. Find the prime factors of 16

3. Find the prime factors of 18

4. Find the prime factors of 21

5. Find the prime factors of 28

6. Build a prime factors table

7. Calculate the LCM

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1, 008

1,008

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Tree view of the prime factors of 12: 2, 2 and 3

The prime factors of 12 are 2, 2 and 3.

Tree view of the prime factors of 16: 2, 2, 2 and 2

The prime factors of 16 are 2, 2, 2 and 2.

Tree view of the prime factors of 18: 2, 3 and 3

The prime factors of 18 are 2, 3 and 3.

Tree view of the prime factors of 21: 3 and 7

The prime factors of 21 are 3 and 7.

Tree view of the prime factors of 28: 2, 2 and 7

The prime factors of 28 are 2, 2 and 7.

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

The prime factor 7 occurs one time, while 2 and 3 occur more than once.

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

LCM = $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 7$

LCM = $2^{4} \cdot 3^{2} \cdot 7$

LCM = 1,008

The least common multiple of 12, 16, 18, 21 and 28 is 1,008.

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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.

Prime factorNumber

Max. occurrence