multiple

A multiple of a number is the

product of the number and any
nonzero whole number.

least common multiple (LCM): The

smallest number that is a multiple of two
or more numbers.

Today, the schools baseball and soccer teams

had games. The baseball team plays every 7
days. The soccer team plays every 3 days. When
will the teams have games on the same day
again?
3,7
7: 7, 14, 21 , 28, 35, 42, . . .
3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, . . .

List multiples of 3 and 7.

Find the smallest number
that is in all the lists.

LCM: 21. In 21 days, both teams will have game on

the same day again.

Remember!
The prime factorization of a number is
the number written as a product of its
prime factors.

Example 2: Find the LCM of 16 and 36

16 = 24
36 = 22 32
24 32
16 9 = 144
LCM: 144

Write the prime factorizations

Use the greatest power of
each factor.
Multiply.

Example 3: Find the LCM of 5a4 and 15a

5a4 =
5 a4
15a = 3 5 a
3 5 a4
15a

LCM: 15a4

Write the prime factorizations

Use the greatest power of
each factor.
Multiply.

negative

-7

<

positive

21

21

21

84

28

56

28

84
<

84
84

<

<

<

20

60

48

45

180

60

12

56m

75xy

<

>
1 5 2
, ,
6 12 3

<
1 3 1 7
, , ,
5 10 2 12

Additional Example 2D: Using Multiples to Find

the LCM
Find the least common multiple (LCM).
15, 6, and 4
15 = 3 5
6=3

4=

22

Write the prime factorization of

each number in exponential form.

To find the LCM, multiply each

prime factor once with the
3 5 22
greatest exponent used in any of
3 5 22 = 60 the prime factorizations.

LCM: 60

Check It Out: Example 2A

Find the least common multiple (LCM).
Method 1: Use a number line.
2 and 3
Use a number line to skip count by 2 and 3.

The least common multiple (LCM) of 2 and 3 is 6.

Check It Out: Example 2B

Find the least common multiple (LCM).
Method 2: Use a list.
3, 4, and 9
3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24,
27, 30, 33, 36, . . .

List multiples of 3, 4, and 9.

4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32,

36,

Find the smallest number

that is in all the lists.

9: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, . . .

The least common multiple of 3, 4, and 9 is 36.

Check It Out: Example 2C

Find the least common multiple (LCM).
Method 3: Use prime factorization.
4 and 10
4=22
10 = 2
5

Write the prime factorization of

each number.
Line up the common factors.

22 5
2 2 5 = 20
LCM: 20

To find the LCM, multiply one

number from each column.

Check It Out: Example 2D

Find the least common multiple (LCM).
12, 6, and 8
12 = 22 3
6=2 3

Write the prime factorization of

each number in exponential form.

8 = 23
23 3
23 3 = 24

LCM: 24

To find the LCM, multiply each

prime factor once with the
greatest exponent used in any of
the prime factorizations.

Lesson Quiz
Find the least common multiple (LCM).
1. 6, 14 42
3. 5, 6, 10 30

2. 9, 12

36

4. 12, 16, 24, 36

144

5. Two students in Mrs. Albrings preschool class are

stacking blocks, one on top of the other. Reeces
blocks are 4 cm high and Maddys blocks are 9 cm
high. How tall will their stacks be when they are
the same height for the first time?
36 cm