Finding the LCM Using the Ladder Method

The video tutorial explains how to find the least common multiple (LCM) using the ladder method, also known as the division method. It provides step-by-step examples for finding the LCM of pairs of numbers: 4 and 10, 18 and 45, 12 and 18, and 30 and 40. The tutorial emphasizes that different shared factors can be chosen, but the LCM result will remain the same. The video also includes practice problems for viewers to solve on their own.

What is the first step in the ladder method for finding the LCM of two numbers?

• Find a common factor and divide both numbers by it.

• Multiply the numbers together.

• Subtract the smaller number from the larger one.

• Add the numbers together.

When using the ladder method, what do you do after finding all shared factors?

• Multiply all the factors outside the ladder.

• Divide the largest factor by the smallest.

• Add the factors together.

• Subtract the factors from each other.

In the example of finding the LCM of 18 and 45, which factor is used first?

• 2

• 5

• 3

• 6

What is the LCM of 12 and 18 using the ladder method?

• 60

• 36

• 24

• 48

Which shared factor is chosen first when finding the LCM of 30 and 40?

• 2

• 5

• 3

• 4