Least Common Multiple – Definition With Examples

A multiple is the product result of one number multiplied by another number.

For example, we can get the multiples of 5 by multiplying 5 with numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on.

Multiples of 5 are: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25…

If a number is a multiple of two or more numbers, it is called a common multiple. For example, 2 x 5 = 10.

Therefore, 10 is a multiple of both 2 and 5. Thus, 10 is said to be a common multiple of both 2 and 5.

What Is Least Common Multiple (LCM)?

LCM is the short form for “Least Common Multiple.” The least common multiple is defined as the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in common.

For example: Take two integers, 2 and 3. 

Multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20….

Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 ….

6, 12, and 18 are common multiples of 2 and 3. The number 6 is the smallest. Therefore, 6 is the least common multiple of 2 and 3. 

So, what is LCM in math? The LCM of two numbers is the smallest number divisible by both numbers.

One prime application of LCM is finding the lowest common denominator (LCD) of two or more fractions. It plays a significant role in adding, subtracting, and comparing two or more fractions.

How to Find Least Common Multiple (LCM)?

Different methods to determine the LCM of a set of numbers are:

• Listing the multiples
• Prime Factorization
• Division Method 

Listing the Multiples Method

To find the LCM using multiples, list the multiples of the numbers in the table as shown. The least common multiple is the first common multiple for the given numbers.

For 12 and 16, the number 48 is the LCM.

Prime Factorization Method

The prime factorization method involves finding the prime factors of the given numbers and identifying the least common multiple (LCM). For example, pair the common multiples shown to find the least common multiple of 12 and 16 using the prime factorization. List them along with the remaining multiples.

LCM = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 48

Division Method

In this method, the given numbers are divided by the common divisors until there is no possible further division by the same number. The divisors and the remainders are multiplied to obtain the least common multiple.

For example, 

LCM =  2 × 2 × 3 × 4 = 48

Relation between LCM and HCF

The highest common factor of two or more numbers is the HCF of the given numbers. The smallest number among all common multiples of the given numbers is the least common multiple of two or more numbers. Assuming a and b are two numbers, the formula for determining the relationship between their LCM and HCF is:

LCM (a, b) × HCF (a, b) = a × b

Solved Examples

Example 1: Find the LCM of 18 and 24 using the prime factorization method.

Solution:

LCM = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 72

Example 2: Find the smallest number divisible by 9 and 15.

Solution:

The smallest number divisible by 9 and 15 is the LCM of 9 and 15.

LCM = 3 × 3 × 5 = 45

So, 45 is the smallest number divisible by both 9 and 15.

Example 3: The product of the two numbers is 180. If their HCF is 3, what is their LCM?

Solution:

The highest common factor (HCF) is 3, and the product of the numbers is 180.

Since, LCM × HCF = product of numbers, LCM = 1803 = 60

Therefore, the LCM is 60.

Practice Problems