lcm of 14 and 3
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the least common multiple (LCM) of the numbers 14 and 3. To solve it, we will find the smallest number that is a multiple of both 14 and 3.
Answer
The LCM of 14 and 3 is 42.
Answer for screen readers
The least common multiple (LCM) of 14 and 3 is 42.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the multiples of each number
Begin by listing the first few multiples of each number.
For 14, the multiples are: 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, ...
For 3, the multiples are: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, ...
- Find the common multiples
Look for the smallest number that appears in both lists.
From our lists, we can see that the number 42 is the first common multiple of 14 and 3.
- Conclusion
The least common multiple (LCM) is the smallest number found in both lists. Thus, the LCM of 14 and 3 is 42.
The least common multiple (LCM) of 14 and 3 is 42.
More Information
Finding the least common multiple is useful in various applications such as adding fractions with different denominators or solving problems that involve cycles.
Tips
- Misidentifying the multiples: It's important to carefully list the multiples for each number without skipping any.
- Stopping too early: Sometimes one might stop searching for common multiples too soon. Always verify that you have found the least one.
