Question

find the least common multiple (lcm) of 3 and 8.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall LCM of 1 and a number

The least common multiple (LCM) of 1 and any number \( n \) is the number \( n \) itself, because 1 is a factor of every number, and the smallest multiple that 1 and \( n \) share is \( n \). Here, the numbers are 1 and 8.

Step2: Apply the rule

Using the rule that LCM(1, \( n \)) = \( n \), for \( n = 8 \), LCM(1, 8) = 8.

Answer:

8