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Solution - Least common multiple (LCM) by prime factorization

2,357,862
2,357,862

Step-by-step explanation

1. Find the prime factors of 37

37 is a prime factor.

2. Find the prime factors of 38

Tree view of the prime factors of 38: 2 and 19

The prime factors of 38 are 2 and 19.

3. Find the prime factors of 43

43 is a prime factor.

4. Find the prime factors of 39

Tree view of the prime factors of 39: 3 and 13

The prime factors of 39 are 3 and 13.

5. Build a prime factors table

Determine the maximum number of times each prime factor (2, 3, 13, 19, 37, 43) occurs in the factorization of the given numbers:

Prime factorNumber37 38 43 39 Max. occurrence
201001
300011
1300011
1901001
3710001
4300101

The prime factors 2, 3, 13, 19, 37 and 43 occur one time.

6. Calculate the LCM

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

LCM = 2313193743

LCM = 2,357,862

The least common multiple of 37, 38, 43 and 39 is 2,357,862.

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.