1. **State the problem:** Find the least common multiple (LCM) of 24 and 36. 2. **Recall the formula:** The LCM of two numbers $a$ and $b$ can be found using the formula: $$\text{LCM}(a,b) = \frac{|a \times b|}{\text{GCD}(a,b)}$$ where GCD is the greatest common divisor. 3. **Find the GCD of 24 and 36:** - Prime factorization of 24: $2^3 \times 3$ - Prime factorization of 36: $2^2 \times 3^2$ - The GCD is the product of the lowest powers of common primes: $2^2 \times 3 = 4 \times 3 = 12$ 4. **Calculate the LCM:** $$\text{LCM}(24,36) = \frac{24 \times 36}{12} = \frac{864}{12} = 72$$ 5. **Answer:** The least common multiple of 24 and 36 is **72**.