Find the least common multiple of 3 and 9 (1 point)
9
27
18
3
The least common multiple of 3 and 9 is 9.
To find the least common multiple (LCM) of 3 and 9, we need to determine the smallest multiple that both numbers share.
We can start by listing the multiples of each number:
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ...
Multiples of 9: 9, 18, 27, ...
From the lists above, we can see that the least common multiple of 3 and 9 is 9.
So, the correct answer is 9.
To find the least common multiple (LCM) of 3 and 9, you can use the prime factorization method. Let's break down each number into its prime factors and then identify the common and unique factors between them.
Prime factorization of 3: 3 (since 3 is a prime number)
Prime factorization of 9: 3 x 3 (or 3^2)
Now, we can identify the common and unique factors:
Common factors: 3
Unique factors from 3: 3
Unique factors from 9: 3
To find the LCM, you need to take the highest power of each prime factor. In this case, 3 is the only prime factor, and it appears twice (3^2) in the prime factorization of 9. So, the LCM of 3 and 9 is 3^2, which is equal to 9.
Therefore, the least common multiple (LCM) of 3 and 9 is 9.