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Common Multiples and Common Factors

things happen over and over again in flxed cycles. For example, a :orning news program may have a trafflc report every 7 minutes. A train -.ay arrive at a particular station every 12 minutes. A cuckoo clock may i.--,und every 15 minutes.

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help you solve such problems.

F{ow can you flgure out when two events with different cycles can occur at lhe same time? Thinking about common factors and common multiples can

I-et's start by comparing the multiples of 20 and 30. o The multiples of 20 are20,40,60,80, 100,I20,140,160,1g0,. . . o The multiples of 30 are 30,60, 90,120,150, 1g0, . . .
The numbers 60, 120,780,240, . . . , are multipres of both 20 and30. we call these numbers common multiples of 20 and 30. of these multiples,60 is the least common multiple.

\ow let's compare the factors of 12 and 30. o The factors of 72 are 1,,2,3,4,6, and 72. o The factors of 30 are 1,2,3,5,6, 10, 15, and

30.

The numbers 1,2,3, and 6, are factors of both 12 and 30. we call these numbers common factors of 12 and 30. Of these factors,6 is the greatest common

factor.
Factors

lnvestigation 3 Common Multiples and Common

37

Biating Ferris lllllreels

One of the more popular rides at a carnival or amusement park is the
Ferris wheel.

Problem

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Choosingf Gommon ltltultiples or Common Factors

Jeremy and his little sister, Deborah, are at a carnival. There are both alarge and a small Ferris wheel. Jeremy gets on the large Ferris wheel at the same time his sister gets on the small Ferris wheel. The rides begin at the same time. For each situation below, decide how many seconds will pass before Jeremy and Deborah are both at the bottom again.

A.

The large wheel makes one revolution in 60 seconds and the small wheel makes one revolution in 20 seconds.
50 seconds and the small wheel makes one revolution in 30 seconds.

B. The large wheel makes one revolution in

C. The large wheel makes one revolution in

10 seconds and the small wheel makes one revolution in 7 seconds.

D. For Questions A-C, determine the number

of times each Ferris wheel goes around before Jeremy and his sister are both on the ground again.

AgS i Homework starts on page 42.

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