18 and 21 LCM
LCM of 18 and 21 is equal to 126. The comprehensive work provides more insight of how to find what is the lcm of 18 and 21 by using prime factors and special division methods, and the example use case of mathematics and real world problems.
what is the lcm of 18 and 21?
lcm (18 21) = (?)
18 => 2 x 3 x 3
21 => 3 x 7
= 3 x 2 x 3 x 7
= 126
lcm (18 and 21) = 126
126 is the lcm of 18 and 21.
where,
18 is a positive integer,
21 is a positive integer,
126 is the lcm of 18 and 21,
{3} in {2 x 3 x 3, 3 x 7} is the common factors of 18 and 21,
{2 x 3 x 7} in {2 x 3 x 3, 3 x 7} are the uncommon factors of 18 and 21.
Use in Mathematics: LCM of 18 and 21
The below are some of the mathematical applications where lcm of 18 and 21 can be used:
- to find the least number which is exactly divisible by 18 and 21.
- to find the common denominator for two fractions having 18 and 21 as denominators in the unlike fractions addition or subtraction.
In the context of lcm real world problems, the lcm of 18 and 21 helps to find the exact time when two similar and recurring events with different time schedule happens together at the same time. For example, the real world problems involve lcm in situations to find at what time the bells A and B all toll together, if bell A tolls at 18 seconds and bell B tolls at 21 seconds repeatedly. The answer is that all bells A and B toll together at 126 seconds for the first time, at 252 seconds for the second time, at 378 seconds for the third time and so on.
Important Notes: 18 and 21 lcm
The below are the important notes to be remembered while solving the lcm of 18 and 21:
- The common prime factors and the remaining prime factors of 18 and 21 should be multiplied to find the least common multiple of 18 and 21, when solving lcm by using prime factors method.
- The results of lcm of 18 and 21, and the lcm of 21 and 18 are identical, it means the order of given numbers in the lcm calculation doesn't affect the results.
How-to: What is the LCM of 18 and 21?
The below solved example with step by step work shows how to find what is the lcm of 18 and 21 by using prime factors method and division method.
Solved example using prime factors method:
What is the LCM of 18 and 21?
step 1
Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
A = 18
B = 21
What to be found:
find the lcm of 18 and 21
step 2 Find the prime factors of 18 and 21:
Prime factors of 18 = 2 x 3 x 3
Prime factors of 21 = 3 x 7
step 3 Identify the repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 18 and 21:
{3} is the most repeated factor and {2 x 3 x 7} are the non-repeated factors of 18 and 21.
step 4 Find the product of repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 18 and 21:
= 3 x 2 x 3 x 7
= 126
lcm(18 and 21) = 126
Hence,
lcm of 18 and 21 is 126
This special division method is the easiest way to understand the entire calculation of what is the lcm of 18 and 21.
step 1 Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
Integers: 18 and 21
What to be found:
lcm (18, 21) = ?
step 2 Arrange the given integers in the horizontal form with space or comma separated format:
18 and 21
step 3 Choose the divisor which divides each or most of the given integers (18 and 21), divide each integers separately and write down the quotient in the next line right under the respective integers. Bring down the integer to the next line if any integer in 18 and 21 is not divisible by the selected divisor; repeat the same process until all the integers are brought to 1 as like below:
| 2 | 18 | 21 |
| 3 | 9 | 21 |
| 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 7 | 1 | 7 |
| 1 | 1 |
step 4 Multiply the divisors to find the lcm of 18 and 21:
= 2 x 3 x 3 x 7
= 126
LCM(18, 21) = 126
The least common multiple for two numbers 18 and 21 is 126