Question

Two numbers have prime factorizations of 2^2 x 3^2 x 5 and 2 x 3 x 5. Which expression can be used to find their least common multiple

Answer 1

Answer:  2^2 x 3^2 x 5

You can use a star symbol * in place of the x symbols.

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Explanation:

We simply circle the primes where they have the largest exponent.

The unique primes listed here are: 2, 3, 5

• The prime 2 has the highest exponent of 2, meaning 2^2 is part of the answer.
• The prime 3 has the highest exponent of 2, meaning 3^2 is also part of the LCM
• The prime 5, without any exponent, is also part of the LCM. We can write this as 5^1 or just leave it as 5.