How can you use number patterns to find the least common multiple of 120 and 360

The correct answer is: 360.

Explanation:

First we can express 120 as follows:

2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 5 = 120

You can get the above multiples as follows:

120/2 = 60

60/2 = 30

30/2 = 15

15/3 = 5 (Since 15 cannot be divisible by 2, so we move to the next number)

5/5 = 1

Take all the terms in the denominator for 120, you would get: 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 5 - - - (1)

Second we can express 360 as follows:

360/2 = 180

180/2 = 90

90/2 = 45

45/3 = 15 (Since 45 cannot be divisible by 2, so we move to the next number)

15/3 = 5

5/5 = 1

Take all the terms in the denominator for 360, you would get: 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 5 - - - (2)

Now in (1) and (2) consider the common terms once and multiple that with the remaining:

2*2*2*3*5 = Common between the two

3 = Remaining

Hence (2*2*2*3*5) * (3) = 360 = LCM (answer)