Writing 2457 as a Product of Prime Factors

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 20 views

Prime Factorization and Lowest Common Multiple: Unraveling the Secrets of Mathematics

Mathematics is a fascinating subject that deals with numbers, quantities, and shapes. It is a fundamental tool used in various fields, including science, engineering, economics, and finance. In this article, we will delve into two important concepts in mathematics: prime factorization and lowest common multiple (LCM). We will explore how to write 2457 as a product of prime factors and determine the LCM of 75 and 100.

Prime factorization is the process of expressing a composite number as a product of prime numbers. A prime number is a positive integer that is divisible only by itself and 1. For example, 2, 3, 5, and 7 are prime numbers. To find the prime factorization of a number, we need to break it down into its smallest prime factors.

Writing 2457 as a Product of Prime Factors

To write 2457 as a product of prime factors, we need to find the prime factors of 2457. We can start by dividing 2457 by the smallest prime number, which is 2. However, 2457 is an odd number, so it is not divisible by 2. We can then try dividing it by the next prime number, which is 3. However, 2457 is not divisible by 3 either. We can continue this process until we find the prime factors of 2457.

2457 ÷ 3 = 819 819 ÷ 3 = 273 273 ÷ 3 = 91 91 ÷ 7 = 13

Therefore, the prime factorization of 2457 is:

2457 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 7 × 13

The lowest common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both numbers. To find the LCM of two numbers, we need to list the multiples of each number and find the smallest number that appears in both lists.

Determining the LCM of 75 and 100

To determine the LCM of 75 and 100, we need to list the multiples of each number.

Multiples of 75: 75, 150, 225, 300, 375, 450, 525, 600, ... Multiples of 100: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, ...

The smallest number that appears in both lists is 300. Therefore, the LCM of 75 and 100 is 300.

Calculating the LCM using Prime Factorization

We can also calculate the LCM of 75 and 100 using prime factorization. To do this, we need to find the prime factors of each number and then take the product of the highest power of each prime factor.

Prime factorization of 75: 3 × 5 × 5 Prime factorization of 100: 2 × 2 × 5 × 5

To find the LCM, we take the product of the highest power of each prime factor:

LCM = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 5 = 300

In this article, we have explored two important concepts in mathematics: prime factorization and lowest common multiple (LCM). We have learned how to write 2457 as a product of prime factors and determine the LCM of 75 and 100. We have also seen how to calculate the LCM using prime factorization. These concepts are essential in mathematics and have numerous applications in various fields.

Prime factorization and LCM have numerous real-world applications. For example:

Cryptography: Prime factorization is used in cryptography to create secure codes.
Computer Science: LCM is used in computer science to solve problems related to algorithms and data structures.
Engineering: Prime factorization and LCM are used in engineering to design and optimize systems.
Finance: LCM is used in finance to calculate interest rates and investment returns.

In conclusion, prime factorization and LCM are fundamental concepts in mathematics that have numerous applications in various fields. By understanding these concepts, we can solve complex problems and make informed decisions. We hope that this article has provided a comprehensive overview of prime factorization and LCM and has inspired readers to explore these fascinating topics further.
Prime Factorization and Lowest Common Multiple: A Q&A Guide

In our previous article, we explored the concepts of prime factorization and lowest common multiple (LCM). We learned how to write 2457 as a product of prime factors and determine the LCM of 75 and 100. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to prime factorization and LCM.

Q: What is prime factorization?

A: Prime factorization is the process of expressing a composite number as a product of prime numbers. A prime number is a positive integer that is divisible only by itself and 1.

Q: How do I find the prime factorization of a number?

A: To find the prime factorization of a number, you need to break it down into its smallest prime factors. You can start by dividing the number by the smallest prime number, which is 2. If the number is not divisible by 2, you can try dividing it by the next prime number, which is 3. You can continue this process until you find the prime factors of the number.

Q: What is the lowest common multiple (LCM)?

A: The lowest common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both numbers.

Q: How do I find the LCM of two numbers?

A: To find the LCM of two numbers, you need to list the multiples of each number and find the smallest number that appears in both lists. Alternatively, you can use prime factorization to find the LCM.

Q: Can you give an example of how to find the LCM using prime factorization?

A: Let's say we want to find the LCM of 12 and 15. We can start by finding the prime factorization of each number:

Prime factorization of 12: 2 × 2 × 3 Prime factorization of 15: 3 × 5

To find the LCM, we take the product of the highest power of each prime factor:

LCM = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 = 60

Q: What is the difference between LCM and greatest common divisor (GCD)?

A: The greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder. The LCM of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both numbers.

Q: Can you give an example of how to find the GCD?

A: Let's say we want to find the GCD of 12 and 15. We can start by listing the factors of each number:

Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 Factors of 15: 1, 3, 5, 15

The largest number that appears in both lists is 3. Therefore, the GCD of 12 and 15 is 3.

Q: What are some real-world applications of prime factorization and LCM?

A: Prime factorization and LCM have numerous real-world applications, including:

Cryptography: Prime factorization is used in cryptography to create secure codes.
Computer Science: LCM is used in computer science to solve problems related to algorithms and data structures.
Engineering: Prime factorization and LCM are used in engineering to design and optimize systems.
Finance: LCM is used in finance to calculate interest rates and investment returns.

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions related to prime factorization and LCM. We hope that this article has provided a comprehensive overview of these concepts and has inspired readers to explore these fascinating topics further.