Find the least common multiple (LCM) of $18$ and $24$ using the Prime Factors Method. Step 1. List the prime factorization for both numbers: $18 = 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3$ and $24 = 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3$. Step 2. Match the prime factors vertically in columns: $18 = \quad 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3$ $24 = 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3$ Step 3. Bring down one factor from each column: $2$, $2$, $2$, $3$, and $3$. Step 4. Multiply all the factors together to compute the LCM: $ext{LCM} = 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 = 72$. The least common multiple of $18$ and $24$ is $72$.