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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

1,668,576
1,668,576

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 128,352

Tree view of the prime factors of 128,352: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 7 and 191

The prime factors of 128,352 are 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 7 and 191.

2. Find the prime factors of 238,368

Tree view of the prime factors of 238,368: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 13 and 191

The prime factors of 238,368 are 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 13 and 191.

3. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 3, 7, 13, 191) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber128,352238,368Max. occurrence
2555
3111
7101
13011
191111

The prime factors 3, 7, 13 and 191 occur one time, while 2 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 = 222223713191

LCM = 253713191

LCM = 1,668,576

The least common multiple of 128,352 and 238,368 is 1,668,576.

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.