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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

6,800,775,982
6,800,775,982

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 109,174

Tree view of the prime factors of 109,174: 2, 13, 13, 17 and 19

The prime factors of 109,174 are 2, 13, 13, 17 and 19.

2. Find the prime factors of 124,586

Tree view of the prime factors of 124,586: 2, 7, 11 and 809

The prime factors of 124,586 are 2, 7, 11 and 809.

3. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 809) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber109,174124,586Max. occurrence
2111
7011
11011
13202
17101
19101
809011

The prime factors 2, 7, 11, 17, 19 and 809 occur one time, while 13 occurs 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 = 271113131719809

LCM = 27111321719809

LCM = 6,800,775,982

The least common multiple of 109,174 and 124,586 is 6,800,775,982.

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.