Expert: Lynn Houston - 1/17/2010

Question
what is thge lcm of 36,54,108

Answer
36 * 3 = 108
54 * 2 = 108
108 * 1 = 108, so 108 is the lowest common multiple

The way to figure this when it's not so obvious is to factor each number, for example

36 = 2*2*3*3
54 = 2*3*3*3
108 = 2*2*3*3*3


Now, take the least number of multiples that you can that will still complete each number.  For example, for 36 you need two 2's and two 3's.  Since you're already have two 2's, you don't need another 2 for the 54, but you do need another 3 because you only have 2 from 36.  With two 2's and three 3's, you already have the factors of 108 covered, so the lowest common multiple of 36, 54 and 108 is 2*2*3*3*3 or 108.