document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=122712>Question 122712</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Mercury, Venus, and Earth revolve around the sun once every 3,7, and 12 months, respectively. If the three plants are in a straight line, what is the smallest number of months that pass before they line up agian? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #90074 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=90074\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Find the least common multiple of 3, 7, and 12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Write the prime-factor form of each of the nuimbers:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3 = 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "7 = 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12 = 3*2^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The lcm must have each factor raised to the highest power present.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "lcm = 3*7*2^2 = 84 months<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Earth will make 7 revolutions, each taking 12 months.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Venus will take 12 revolutions, each taking 7 months.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Mercury will take 28 revolutions, each taking 3 months.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );