Question

How do you find the least common multiple of two numbers?

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's say we wanted to find the LCM of 6 and 8.

First, write the prime factorization of both:

6 = 2×3

8 = 2³

Let's include all the exponents:

6 = 2¹×3¹

8 = 2³×3⁰

The LCM needs to have the prime factors with the highest exponents.  

So we need prime factors of 2 and 3.  The exponent of the 2 will be three, and the exponent of the 3 will be one.

LCM = 2³×3¹

LCM = 24