5Question: What is the least common multiple of 18 and 24, given that each number represents the interval in days for two different maintenance cycles at a coastal infrastructure site?

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:55:27 +0000

**5Question: What is the least common multiple of 18 and 24, given that each number represents the interval in days for two different maintenance cycles at a coastal infrastructure site?**
Understanding how infrastructure systems keep running smoothly often hinges on timing—specifically, scheduling maintenance without disrupting operations. When two critical systems require servicing every 18 and 24 days respectively, knowing when both will align helps optimize workforce routes and reduce downtime. The answer to “What is the least common multiple of 18 and 24?” lies at the intersection of mathematics and real-world planning, offering a clear timeline for synchronized upkeep. **Why This Question Is Rising in US Discussions**
As aging coastal infrastructure draws attention nationwide—amid climate risks and funding debates—efficient maintenance planning grows more urgent. Streets, bridges, and flood defenses depend on predictable cycles to prevent costly failures. Public and industry conversations increasingly focus on data-driven timing to match maintenance schedules precisely, especially when monitoring two interdependent systems. This context explains growing curiosity around finding the LCM as a practical tool for coordination. **How the Least Common Multiple Works in Practice**
The least common multiple (LCM) of 18 and 24 is the smallest number divisible by both. To calculate it, break each into prime factors: 18 = 2 × 3², 24 = 2³ × 3. The LCM takes the highest power of every prime: 2³ (from 24) and 3² (from 18), resulting in 8 × 9 = 72. Thus, every 72 days, both maintenance cycles coincide, allowing crews to address both systems simultaneously without wasteful overlap. **Common Questions About Maintenance Timing**
- *Why not just add 18 + 24?* Because LCM finds the earliest shared point, not repeated totals.
- *Can these cycles vary?* If intervals shift, recalculating the LCM ensures continued alignment.
- *How often does this alignment happen in a year?* At 72-day intervals, the cycles meet just under twice annually—about every six months.
- *Can software help?* Yes, scheduling tools use LCM algorithms to automate coordination.
- *Is this relevant beyond coastal sites?* Maintenance planning for any system with periodic upkeep benefits from this principle.