Maths

>

KS3

Numbers

Question

What is LCM

1 year ago

·

327 Replies

·

7845 views

I

Iftikhar


please explain it briefly

327 Answers

A
Ali Haider

LCM refers to least common multiple. For example if there are two numbers, 12 and 9 then multiples of 12 are 12*1, 12*2, 12*3 so 12, 24, 36 and so on and similarly multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, 36... LCM will be 36 because it is a multiple of both of these numbers and it is the smallest multiple that is common between both 12 and 9.

J
Jack Murrell

Lowest multiple shared by two or more numbers.

Elizabeth R Profile Picture
Elizabeth R Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Experienced maths teacher and examiner - GCSE, IGCSE, IB and A Level

8 reviews

LCM stands for Lowest Common Multiple and refers the lowest number that can be divided by two other numbers. For example:


What is the LCM of 3 and 4?

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

Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44,...


Through observation both 12 and 24 are multiples of 3 and 4.


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

Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36,...


Since 12 is the lowest value, 12 is the LCM of 3 and 4.


What is the LCM of 270 and 252

If you have covered finding the product of prime factors you may use this method to find the LCM of two numbers.


270=2x3x3x3x5

252=2x2x3x3x7


The LCM is the product of the lowest values shared between the product of prime factors.


270=2x3x3x3x5

252=2x2x3x3x7


So LCM=2x3x3

LCM=18

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
S
Sravanthy

LCM is the short form of Least Common Multiple ,the least common multiple is defined as the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in commom example

take 2 and 3

2 multiples 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

3 multiple 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30

here common multiples are 6 12 18

B
Bailey O'brien

LCM stands for the Lowest common multiple.

  • all this means is a number which is the smallest multiple that 2 different numbers have in common

for example the LCM of 2 and 3 is...

2,4,6,8,10

3,6,9,12

so the answer would be 6

A
Adesewa

lowest common multiple.

C
Connor Heelan

LCM stands for the Lowest Common Multiple. It means the smallest multiple of 2 or more numbers. For example the LCM of 6 and 4 would be 12 as its the smallest number that appears in both times tables.

D
Diana Priyadarshini

LCM means least common multiple

Christopher N Profile Picture
Christopher N Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Success is found in your daily disciplines - make every day count!

LCM stands for Lowest common multiple. it is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers - for example - Let us take two numbers, 2 and 5. Each will have its own set of multiples.

  • multiples of 2 are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, …
  • multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, 20, …


the Lowest common multiple here is 10!


I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Y
Yahya Ahmed

Hi Iftikhar,


The lowest common multiple (LCM), is the lowest multiple that is found in both numbers you are given.


for example: the LCM of 3 and 12

You would simply start to state all the multiple of 3 and 12 until you reach a common number.


3 ==> 3,6,9,12,15

12 ==> 12,24


As you can see, the lowest common multiple which is found in both numbers is 12.


Hope that helps!


Kindest regards


Yahya

Hamad Profile Picture
Hamad Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Experienced tutor of Maths and Science to GCSE and 11+

2 reviews

LCM stands for Lowest Common Multiple. It refers to the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in common.


For example,

the question can be like...


Samantha wants to make batches of cookies using her cookie cutters. She has a heart-shaped cutter that cuts cookies every 4 minutes and a star-shaped cutter that cuts cookies every 6 minutes. If she starts using both cutters at the same time, how long will it take before she has cut cookies with both shapes again?



Solution:

To find the time it takes for Sarah to cut cookies with both shapes again, we need to find the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of 4 and 6.


The multiples of 4 are: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ...

The multiples of 6 are: 6, 12, 18, 24, ...


The LCM of 4 and 6 is 12 minutes.


Therefore, it will take Sarah 12 minutes before she has cut cookies with both shapes again.


I have plenty more examples - some are easier, but they progressively get harder.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Lewis B Profile Picture
Lewis B Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Maths & Physics Tutor with 1000+ Hours Experience

3 reviews

LCM stands for the lowest common multiple. This is the lowest number which is a multiple of 2 integers.


For example:

The multiples of 4 are: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24...

The multiples of 6 are: 6, 12, 18, 24...


We can see that 12 and 24 are common within the first few terms.

The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) would be 12, since it is the lowest number in both multiple sets.


I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
D
David Anthony Adeleye

LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. It's a fundamental concept in mathematics.


The LCM of two or more numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of each of the given numbers. In simpler terms, it's the smallest number that is divisible by all the numbers being considered without a remainder.


For example, let's find the LCM of 4 and 6:


Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ...

Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, ...


So, the smallest number that appears in both lists is 12. Hence, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12.


LCM is useful in various mathematical operations. For example, it helps find a common denominator in fractions and simplifies calculations involving multiple numbers.

M
Matthew Esan


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. 

F
Farooq

The abbreviation LCM refers to 'Least Common Multiple' or the Lowest Common Multipl.The least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the lowest possible number that can be divisible by both numbers.


Z

Think you can help?

More Maths KS3 Questions
Sherpa Badge

Need a KS3 Maths tutor?

Get started with a free online introductions with an experienced and qualified online tutor on Sherpa.

Find a KS3 Maths Tutor