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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

1,417,500
1,417,500

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 67,500

Tree view of the prime factors of 67,500: 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5 and 5

The prime factors of 67,500 are 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5 and 5.

2. Find the prime factors of 141,750

Tree view of the prime factors of 141,750: 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5 and 7

The prime factors of 141,750 are 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5 and 7.

3. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 3, 5, 7) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber67,500141,750Max. occurrence
2212
3344
5434
7011

The prime factor 7 occurs one time, while 2, 3 and 5 occur more than once.

4. Calculate the LCM

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

LCM = 22333355557

LCM = 2234547

LCM = 1,417,500

The least common multiple of 67,500 and 141,750 is 1,417,500.

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.