Hey!
To find the least common multiple of both these numbers, we'll need to start doing the prime factorization of both the first number. In this case, it's a eighteen.
Start With :
18
Divide by 2 :
18 ÷ 2 = 9
Divide 9 by 3 :
9 ÷ 3 = 3
Divide 3 by 3 :
3 ÷ 3 = 1
Now that we've found that the prime numbers of eighteen are two, three, and three, we can continue to find the next prime factorization of 27.
Start With :
27
Divide 27 by 3 :
27 ÷ 3 = 9
Divide 9 by 3 :
9 ÷ 3 = 3
Divide 3 by 3 :
3 ÷ 3 = 1
Now we've found all the prime numbers of 27. Next, we'll have to multiply all the prime numbers the greatest number of times they occur in 18 or 27.
2 • 3 • 3 • 3 = 54
So, this means that the LCM of 18 and 27 is 54.
Hope this helps!
- Lindsey Frazier ♥