BECE Mathematics 2012 Paper

Concept:The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) is found by taking each prime factor present in the numbers and raising it to its highest power.Explanation:Compare the prime factorizations of the two given numbers.First number: $2^2 \times 3^1 \times 5^2$Second number: $2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5^1$The prime factors involved are $2$, $3$ and $5$.For each prime, choose the larger exponent from the two numbers.For $2$, the highest power is $2^3$.For $3$, the highest power is $3^2$.For $5$, the highest power is $5^2$.Multiply these highest powers together to obtain the LCM.LCM $= 2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5^2$This matches Option D.Answer:Option D: $2^3 \times 3^2 \times 5^2$