What is the least common multiple of 6 8 and 13?

Answer 1

The prime factors of 6 are 2 and 3.

The prime factors of 8 are 2, 2, and 2.

The prime factors of 13 are 13.

From 6, we have factors 2 and 3. From 8, we have 2, 2, and 2, but we already have one 2 from the factors of 6, so we only need to include two more 2s. So, now we have 2, 3, 2, and 2. From 13, we have the factor of 13. So, to determine the least common multiple, multiply 2 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 13 = 312.

Double check:

312 ÷ 6 = 52 which is 13 x 2 x 2

312 ÷ 8 = 39 which is 13 x 3

312 ÷ 13 = 24 which is 2 x 2 x 2 x 3

There are no common prime factors for the three quotients, so 312 is confirmed as the least common multiple.