The least common number for 12 3 9 13 6

Find the prime factors for each number.

$$12 = 2^2 \times 3$$ $$3 = 3$$ $$9 = 3^2$$ $$13 = 13$$ $$6 = 2 \times 3$$

For each prime factor present in any of the numbers, take the highest power.

• The highest power of 2 is $2^2$ (from 12).
• The highest power of 3 is $3^2$ (from 9).
• The highest power of 13 is $13^1$ (from 13).

Multiply these highest powers together.

$$\text{LCM} = 2^2 \times 3^2 \times 13$$ $$\text{LCM} = 4 \times 9 \times 13$$ $$\text{LCM} = 36 \times 13$$ $$\text{LCM} = 468$$

The least common multiple is 468.