1. **State the problem:** Find the least common multiple (LCM) of 8, 6, and 3. 2. **Formula and rules:** The LCM of numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of all the given numbers. 3. **Step 1: Prime factorization** - 8 = $2^3$ - 6 = $2 \times 3$ - 3 = $3$ 4. **Step 2: Take the highest powers of all prime factors** - For 2, highest power is $2^3$ - For 3, highest power is $3^1$ 5. **Step 3: Multiply these highest powers** $$LCM = 2^3 \times 3 = 8 \times 3 = 24$$ 6. **Answer:** The least common multiple of 8, 6, and 3 is **24**.