Using the prime factors method, what is the least common multiple of 12 and 18?

1. Write 12 as the product of primes: 2 times 2 times 3. 2. Write 18 as the product of primes: 2 times 3 times 3. 3. Match the primes vertically where possible, so one column holds two 2s and another holds two 3s. 4. Bring down every column and multiply: 2 times 2 times 3 times 3 equals 36. 5. Multiplying 12 and 18 directly gives 216, which is a common multiple but far larger than the least one. _Source: OpenStax Elementary Algebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 1 "Foundations", section 1.1 Introduction to Whole Numbers_