Ed is buying nuts and bolts at a local hardware store. The store sells nuts in packs of 5 and bolts in packs of 11. If Ed wishes to buy the same number of nuts and bolts, what is the smallest number of nuts that he can buy?

Ed is buying nuts in packs of 5 and bolts in packs of 11, and he wants to purchase the same number of nuts and bolts. To solve this, we need to find the smallest common multiple of 5 and 11, as the number of nuts must be a multiple of 5, and the number of bolts must be a multiple of 11.

### Step 1: Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM)
The least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both. Since 5 and 11 are prime numbers, the LCM is simply their product:

\[
\text{LCM}(5, 11) = 5 \times 11 = 55
\]

### Step 2: Conclusion
The smallest number of nuts (and bolts) that Ed can buy is 55.

Would you like to see more details on finding the LCM or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:
1. What if the packs contained different numbers of nuts and bolts?
2. How would the problem change if Ed wanted more than one common multiple?
3. Can the greatest common divisor (GCD) help in this scenario?
4. How can you find the LCM of non-prime numbers?
5. What are other ways to solve problems involving LCM and GCD?

**Tip:** For two prime numbers, their LCM is always their product!

Discover how to solve the problem of Ed buying nuts and bolts in packs of 5 and 11 by finding the least common multiple. This solution explores key number theory concepts like LCM and prime numbers, perfect for students in Grades 6-8.

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