Least Common Multiple Ladder

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is designed to guide students through the process of finding the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of sets of numbers using a ladder method, which involves dividing the numbers by their common prime factors until all remaining numbers are prime. The first problem is completed as an example, showing the step-by-step division of the numbers 20, 30, and 40 by their common primes and then combining these primes to determine the LCM. There are six problems in total, with the first one fully worked out as an example, and the rest provided for the students to complete. The worksheet is structured to allow space for students to perform the ladder division and calculate the LCM for each set of numbers.

The worksheet teaches students how to use the ladder method for calculating the LCM, emphasizing the role of prime factorization in the process. By providing a worked example, the worksheet demonstrates the method’s systematic approach, guiding students through the process of identifying common prime factors and understanding how they combine to form the LCM. This technique helps students develop a strategic approach to problem-solving in mathematics and deepens their understanding of the structure and relationships between numbers. The practice problems also encourage the development of critical thinking and the ability to apply mathematical concepts to find solutions independently.