LCM of 3 and 20
60 is the LCM of 3 and 20. The step-by-step solution using prime factors and special division methods is one of the simple methods to easily understand how to find what is the LCM of 3 and 20, provided along with the use cases of mathematics and real-world problems.
what is the lcm of 3 and 20?
lcm (3 20) = (?)
3 => 3
20 => 2 x 2 x 5
= 3 x 2 x 2 x 5
= 60
lcm (3 and 20) = 60
60 is the LCM of 3 and 20.
where,
3 is a positive integer,
20 is a positive integer,
60 is the LCM of 3 and 20,
There is no common factors of 3 and 20 in {3, 2 x 2 x 5},
{3 x 2 x 2 x 5} in {3, 2 x 2 x 5} are the uncommon factors of 3 and 20.
Use in Mathematics: LCM of 3 and 20
The below are some of the mathematical applications where lcm of 3 and 20 can be used:
- to find the least number which is exactly divisible by 3 and 20.
- to find the common denominator for two fractions having 3 and 20 as denominators in the unlike fractions addition or subtraction.
In the context of lcm real world problems, the lcm of 3 and 20 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 3 seconds and bell B tolls at 20 seconds repeatedly. The answer is that all bells A and B toll together at 60 seconds for the first time, at 120 seconds for the second time, at 180 seconds for the third time and so on.
Important Notes: 3 and 20 lcm
The below are the important notes to be remembered while solving the lcm of 3 and 20:
- The common prime factors and the remaining prime factors of 3 and 20 should be multiplied to find the least common multiple of 3 and 20, when solving lcm by using prime factors method.
- The results of lcm of 3 and 20, and the lcm of 20 and 3 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 3 and 20?
The below solved example with step by step work shows how to find what is the lcm of 3 and 20 by using prime factors method and division method.
Solved example using prime factors method:
What is the LCM of 3 and 20?
step 1
Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
A = 3
B = 20
What to be found:
find the lcm of 3 and 20
step 2 Find the prime factors of 3 and 20:
Prime factors of 3 = 3
Prime factors of 20 = 2 x 2 x 5
step 3Identify the repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 3 and 20:
Since there is no common factors between 3 and 20, multiplying the given numbers directly provides the LCM of
3 and 20.
= 3 x 20
= 60
lcm(3 and 20) = 60
Hence,
lcm of 3 and 20 is 60
This special division method is one of the easiest ways to understand the entire calculation to find the LCM of 3 and 20.
step 1 Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
Integers: 3 and 20
What to be found:
lcm (3, 20) = ?
step 2 Arrange the given integers in the horizontal form with space or comma separated format:
3 and 20
step 3 Choose the divisor which divides each or most of the given integers (3 and 20), 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 3 and 20 is not divisible by the selected divisor; repeat the same process until all the integers are brought to 1 as like below:
| 2 | 3 | 20 |
| 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 5 | 1 | 5 |
| 1 | 1 |
step 4 Multiply the divisors to find the lcm of 3 and 20:
= 2 x 2 x 3 x 5
= 60
LCM(3, 20) = 60
The LCM of two numbers 3 and 20 is 60