What is the LCM of 25 and 10?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the least common multiple (LCM) of the numbers 25 and 10. To find the LCM, we need to determine the smallest number that is a multiple of both 25 and 10.
Answer
The least common multiple of 25 and 10 is $50$.
Answer for screen readers
The least common multiple of 25 and 10 is $50$.
Steps to Solve
- List the multiples of each number
First, we find the multiples of both numbers:
- Multiples of 25: 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, ...
- Multiples of 10: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ...
- Identify the common multiples
Next, we identify the common multiples from the lists we just created:
- Common multiples: 50, 100, ...
- Find the least common multiple
Lastly, we select the smallest number from the common multiples:
- The least common multiple (LCM) is 50.
The least common multiple of 25 and 10 is $50$.
More Information
The least common multiple (LCM) is useful in various mathematical contexts, such as solving problems involving fractions and finding a common time period for repeating events. The LCM of 25 and 10, which is 50, is the smallest number that both can divide into without leaving a remainder.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the least common multiple with the greatest common divisor (GCD). To avoid this, remember that the LCM is the smallest number in the lists of multiples, while the GCD is the largest number that divides both.
