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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

38,402,496
38,402,496

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 456

Tree view of the prime factors of 456: 2, 2, 2, 3 and 19

The prime factors of 456 are 2, 2, 2, 3 and 19.

2. Find the prime factors of 696

Tree view of the prime factors of 696: 2, 2, 2, 3 and 29

The prime factors of 696 are 2, 2, 2, 3 and 29.

3. Find the prime factors of 726

Tree view of the prime factors of 726: 2, 3, 11 and 11

The prime factors of 726 are 2, 3, 11 and 11.

4. Find the prime factors of 576

Tree view of the prime factors of 576: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 and 3

The prime factors of 576 are 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 and 3.

5. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 3, 11, 19, 29) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber456 696 726 576 Max. occurrence
233166
311122
1100202
1910001
2901001

The prime factors 19 and 29 occur one time, while 2, 3 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 = 2222223311111929

LCM = 26321121929

LCM = 38,402,496

The least common multiple of 456, 696, 726 and 576 is 38,402,496.

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.