What is the least common multiple of 16, 18, and 9?

2 Answers
Jun 25, 2017

#144#

Explanation:

The LCM is the number that all of the given numbers go in. In this case, they are #16#, #18# and #9#.

Keep in mind that any number that #18# goes in can also be divided by #9#.

So we need to focus solely on #16# and #18#.

16 : 16, 32 , 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144

18 : 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144

Therefore, #144# goes in all the numbers 16, 18, and 9.

Jun 25, 2017

144

Explanation:

# 16 = 2 xx 2 xx 2 xx 2 # needs 4 2's
# 18 = 2 xx 3 xx 3 # needs 1 2 and 2 3's
# 9 = 3 xx 3 # needs 2 3's

The LCM need 4 2's and 2 3's ( no need to repeat factors)

# 2 xx 2 xx 2 xx 2 xx 3 xx 3 = 144#

# 9 x 16 = 144#
# 18 x 8 = 144#