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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

3,600
3,600
See steps

Other Ways to Solve

Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 36

Tree view of the prime factors of 36: 2, 2, 3 and 3

The prime factors of 36 are 2, 2, 3 and 3.

2. Find the prime factors of 80

Tree view of the prime factors of 80: 2, 2, 2, 2 and 5

The prime factors of 80 are 2, 2, 2, 2 and 5.

3. Find the prime factors of 72

Tree view of the prime factors of 72: 2, 2, 2, 3 and 3

The prime factors of 72 are 2, 2, 2, 3 and 3.

4. Find the prime factors of 75

Tree view of the prime factors of 75: 3, 5 and 5

The prime factors of 75 are 3, 5 and 5.

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 factorNumber36 80 72 75 Max. occurrence
224304
320212
501022

The prime factors 2, 3 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 = 2⋅2⋅2⋅2⋅3⋅3⋅5⋅5

LCM = 24⋅32⋅52

LCM = 3,600

The least common multiple of 36, 80, 72 and 75 is 3,600.

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.

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