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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

4,184,180
4,184,180

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 220

Tree view of the prime factors of 220: 2, 2, 5 and 11

The prime factors of 220 are 2, 2, 5 and 11.

2. Find the prime factors of 308

Tree view of the prime factors of 308: 2, 2, 7 and 11

The prime factors of 308 are 2, 2, 7 and 11.

3. Find the prime factors of 484

Tree view of the prime factors of 484: 2, 2, 11 and 11

The prime factors of 484 are 2, 2, 11 and 11.

4. Find the prime factors of 988

Tree view of the prime factors of 988: 2, 2, 13 and 19

The prime factors of 988 are 2, 2, 13 and 19.

5. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 5, 7, 11, 13, 19) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber220 308 484 988 Max. occurrence
222222
510001
701001
1111202
1300011
1900011

The prime factors 5, 7, 13 and 19 occur one time, while 2 and 11 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 = 225711111319

LCM = 22571121319

LCM = 4,184,180

The least common multiple of 220, 308, 484 and 988 is 4,184,180.

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.