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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

480
480

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 24

Tree view of the prime factors of 24: 2, 2, 2 and 3

The prime factors of 24 are 2, 2, 2 and 3.

2. Find the prime factors of 48

Tree view of the prime factors of 48: 2, 2, 2, 2 and 3

The prime factors of 48 are 2, 2, 2, 2 and 3.

3. Find the prime factors of 60

Tree view of the prime factors of 60: 2, 2, 3 and 5

The prime factors of 60 are 2, 2, 3 and 5.

4. Find the prime factors of 96

Tree view of the prime factors of 96: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 and 3

The prime factors of 96 are 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 and 3.

5. Build a prime factors table

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

Prime factorNumber24 48 60 96 Max. occurrence
234255
311111
500101

The prime factors 3 and 5 occur one time, while 2 occurs 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 = 2222235

LCM = 2535

LCM = 480

The least common multiple of 24, 48, 60 and 96 is 480.

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.