Answer :
To find the least common multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers, we need to identify the smallest number that is a multiple of each of the numbers. Let's look at each part of the question step by step:
a. LCM of 15 and 20
1. Write out some multiples of each number:
- Multiples of 15: 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, ...
- Multiples of 20: 20, 40, 60, 80, ...
2. Identify the smallest common multiple:
- Looking at the lists, the first common multiple is 60.
Therefore, the LCM of 15 and 20 is 60.
b. LCM of 3, 5, and 9
1. Write out some multiples of each number:
- Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, ...
- Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ...
- Multiples of 9: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, ...
2. Identify the smallest common multiple:
- The first common multiple among these numbers is 45.
Therefore, the LCM of 3, 5, and 9 is 45.
c. LCM of 4, 8, and 12
1. Write out some multiples of each number:
- Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, ...
- Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, ...
- Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, ...
2. Identify the smallest common multiple:
- The first common multiple among these numbers is 24.
Therefore, the LCM of 4, 8, and 12 is 24.
a. LCM of 15 and 20
1. Write out some multiples of each number:
- Multiples of 15: 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, ...
- Multiples of 20: 20, 40, 60, 80, ...
2. Identify the smallest common multiple:
- Looking at the lists, the first common multiple is 60.
Therefore, the LCM of 15 and 20 is 60.
b. LCM of 3, 5, and 9
1. Write out some multiples of each number:
- Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, ...
- Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ...
- Multiples of 9: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, ...
2. Identify the smallest common multiple:
- The first common multiple among these numbers is 45.
Therefore, the LCM of 3, 5, and 9 is 45.
c. LCM of 4, 8, and 12
1. Write out some multiples of each number:
- Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, ...
- Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, ...
- Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, ...
2. Identify the smallest common multiple:
- The first common multiple among these numbers is 24.
Therefore, the LCM of 4, 8, and 12 is 24.