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Japan Mathematical Olympiad

Japan number theory

Problem

Determine the maximum possible value for the least common multiple of 4 distinct single digit positive integers.
Solution
Possible prime factors for a single digit positive integer are , , , , and since , , , , are all bigger than , orders of , , , that can appear in a prime factorization of a single digit positive integer would be less than or equal to , , , respectively. Hence the least common multiple of single digit positive integers is a divisor of , and in particular, it must be less than or equal to this number. On the other hand, the least common multiple of numbers , , , is , and therefore, is the desired answer.
Final answer
2520

Techniques

Least common multiples (lcm)Prime numbersFactorization techniques