BECE Mathematics 2010 Paper

Concept:The L.C.M. is found by taking each prime factor appearing in any number, with its highest power.Explanation:Find the prime factorisation of each number.$16 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 2^4$$30 = 2 \times 3 \times 5$$36 = 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 = 2^2 \times 3^2$List the distinct prime factors: $2$, $3$, and $5$.Take the highest power of each prime present in any factorisation.Highest power of $2$ is $2^4$.Highest power of $3$ is $3^2$.Highest power of $5$ is $5$.Multiply these highest powers.L.C.M. $= 2^4 \times 3^2 \times 5$$= 16 \times 9 \times 5$$= 720$Answer:D. $720$