2007-12-10 08:13:19 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
12 = 2^2 * 3
18 = 2 * 3^3
So, 2^2 * 3^3 will be this least common multiple of 12 and 18
36
Why:
When you break down numbers into prime factors, you can see what two numbers already have in common, and what is different.
When you are looking for the GCF, you want to take what numbers they have in common (2 and 3 in this case) and multiply them together.
When you are looking for the LCM, you want to multiply only the numbers that aren't in common to both sets to make them the same number. Ex.
12 = 2 * 2 * 3
18 = 2 * 3 * 3
12 have one less 3, and 18 one less 2. So if you multiply a 2 two one, and three to the other (which will get you the same number):
2 * 2 * 3 * 3 = 36.
2007-12-10 08:24:21 · answer #1 · answered by someone2841 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12 = 2*2*3
18 = 2*3*3
So the least common multiple is 2*2*3*3 = 36
2007-12-10 08:17:21 · answer #2 · answered by MartinWeiss 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
12=2x2x3
18=2x3x3
2x2x3x3=36
2007-12-10 08:35:27 · answer #3 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
36
saludos.
2007-12-10 08:16:27 · answer #4 · answered by lou h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋