Algebra Examples

$8$ and $20$

Step 1

The LCM is the smallest positive number that all of the numbers divide into evenly.

1. List the prime factors of each number.

2. Multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either number.

Step 2

The prime factors for $8$ are $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

$8$ has factors of $2$ and $4$ .

$2 \cdot 4$

Step 2.2

$4$ has factors of $2$ and $2$ .

$2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2$

Step 3

The prime factors for $20$ are $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 5$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

$20$ has factors of $2$ and $10$ .

$2 \cdot 10$

Step 3.2

$10$ has factors of $2$ and $5$ .

$2 \cdot 2 \cdot 5$

Step 4

The LCM of $8, 20$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either number.

$2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 5$

Step 5

Multiply $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 5$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 5.1

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$4 \cdot 2 \cdot 5$

Step 5.2

Multiply $4$ by $2$ .

$8 \cdot 5$

Step 5.3

Multiply $8$ by $5$ .

$40$