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Finding the Least Common Multiple Using the Prime Factors Method

To find the least common multiple (LCM) using the Prime Factors Method, perform the following steps: Step 1. Write each number as a product of prime factors. Step 2. List the prime factors of each number, matching identical primes vertically in columns whenever possible. Step 3. Bring down one prime from each column. If a column contains the same prime at the top and bottom, bring it down only once. If a column contains only one prime, bring that number down. Step 4. Multiply all the factors brought down from the columns to obtain the LCM. By matching up the common primes, you ensure that each shared prime factor is used only once, which guarantees the resulting product is the least common multiple.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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