Question

What is the smallest common multiple of 1.6, 2.4 and 0.18?

• A. 7.2
• B. 160
• C. 14.40
• D. 2.4

Answer 1

The correct option is C

14.40

The Least Common Multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of all the numbers.
We can convert the given decimals to integers by multiplying all of them by 100.
$1.6\times 100=160$
$2.4\times 100=240$
$0.18\times 100=18$
Prime factorization of 160 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 5
Prime factorization of 240 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 5
Prime factorization of 18 = 2 x 3 x 3
$\therefore$ The LCM of 160, 240 and 18 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5 = 1440.
$\therefore$ The LCM of 1.6, 2.4 and 0.18 = $\frac{1440}{100}=14.40$