A bioinformatics expert is analyzing genomic data and finds that a specific gene sequence occurs in a pattern that repeats every 18 base pairs. They want to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of the repetition cycle and an external cycle of 24 base pairs for a combined analysis. What is the LCM of 18 and 24?

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:48:30 +0000

**A bioinformatics expert is analyzing genomic data and finds that a specific gene sequence occurs in a pattern that repeats every 18 base pairs. They want to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of this repetition cycle and an external cycle of 24 base pairs for deeper genomic integration. Understanding how these repeating patterns align offers critical insights into functional genomic architecture and evolutionary dynamics.** **Why A bioinformatics expert is analyzing genomic data and finds that a specific gene sequence occurs in a pattern that repeats every 18 base pairs. They want to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of the repetition cycle and an external cycle of 24 base pairs for a combined analysis. This cross-cycle analysis is gaining traction in bioinformatics, as researchers seek to correlate natural genomic rhythms with synthetic or experimental design—especially in fields like synthetic genomics and precision medicine.** **What is the LCM of 18 and 24?**
To find the LCM, start by identifying the prime factorizations: 18 = 2 × 3² and 24 = 2³ × 3. The LCM takes the highest power of each prime factor appearing in either number. This results in 2³ × 3² = 8 × 9 = 72. Therefore, the least common multiple of 18 and 24 is 72. This unified cycle marks a shared rhythm between two distinct repeating sequences, offering a powerful tool for modeling gene behavior, predicting structural stability, and designing computational workflows. **How A bioinformatics expert is analyzing genomic data and finds that a specific gene sequence occurs in a pattern that repeats every 18 base pairs. They want to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of the repetition cycle and an external cycle of 24 base pairs for a combined analysis. Understanding how these repeating patterns align offers critical insights into functional genomic architecture and evolutionary dynamics.**