Maths

>

KS3

Numbers

Question

What is LCM

2 years ago

·

497 Replies

·

13965 views

I

Iftikhar


please explain it briefly

Get A Free Cheatsheet For Numbers 🔥

Use our concise notes and diagrams to only revise what you need to know.

By submitting your email, you agree to join our mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time.

497 Answers

F
Farooq

LCM is the abbreviation for the Least Common multiple, which refers to the smallest number that is dividable by both two numbers or all the numbers for more than two numbers.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

M
Mohamed Sharif-Eidarus

Lowest Common Multiple


Given some numbers, could be 2 or more, we need to find the smallest number that is a multiple of all the numbers in your list.


For example -


1) 10 and 15

The lowest common multiple is 30 since, 30 is a multiple of both 10 (i.e. 10 x 3 = 30) and 15 (i.e. 15 x 2 = 30).


2) 6, 8 and 14

The lowest common multiple is 168 since, 168 is a multiple of both 10 (i.e. 6 x 28 = 168), 15 (i.e. 8 x 21 = 168) and 14 (i.e. 14 x 12 = 168).


There is three popular ways of finding this number:


1) Exhaustive method. Make a list of all the multiples of all numbers and find the first common multiple.

2) Finding the prime factors of the all numbers and with that you can find your answer. (You need a whole lesson to understand this)

3) Venn diagram method. (You need a whole lesson to understand this)

Found this useful? Give kudos!

Dr Waseem Profile Picture
Dr Waseem Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Boost confidence, improve grades, and fill in subject gaps.

2 reviews

The lowest common multiple (LCM) is the lowest multiple shared by two or more numbers.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

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

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
M
Mohamad Saifudheen Thayyil

Least Common multiple in two numbers

Found this useful? Give kudos!

Wolfstan D Profile Picture
Wolfstan D Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Fourth year Chemistry student at Oxford University

4 reviews

The lowest common multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that is a multiple of two numbers. For example, if we take the numbers 3 and 7, the LCM would be 21, as this is the smallest number that is divisible by both 3 and 7.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

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

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

Found this useful? Give kudos!

T
Thilaxshi Suresh

In Maths it tends to mean ‘lowest common multiple’.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

Laura H Profile Picture
Laura H Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Experienced teacher driven to making Maths more understandable for all

LCM stands for "Lowest Common Multiple". When a question asks for the LCM, it wants to know what is the smallest number that appears in the times tables for two or more numbers. For example, the LCM of 4 and 5 would be 20 because 20 is the smallest number that appears in both the 4 times table AND the 5 times table.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

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

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
J
Joey Gemmell

Lowest common multiple! It is the lowest number that two different numbers can fit into exactly. You can find the LCM of two numbers by listing out their multiples and checking the lowest number that they both fit into.


You can also use a factor tree to find all of the two number's prime factors. You can then multiply all these prime factors together, but make sure to only include pairs of factors once!

Found this useful? Give kudos!

K
Kiran

Lowest common multiple. So it is the smallest number that is easily (and evenly) divisible for all numbers required. What one number evenly divides all numbers in question.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

E
Elisabeth Mountain

LCM stands for lowest common multiple. So if asked for the LCM of two numbers, you are trying to find a the smallest number that can be divided by both numbers with no remainder.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

B
Bait-Toyin Ajani

Lowest common multiple. It's essentially the smallest number that is a multiple of 2 or more numbers. So for example, the smallest number that is a multiple of both 3 and 13 is 39.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

N
Nisa

Stands for lowest common multiple which explained in the name is basically the lowest multiple that two different multiplication numbers have in common. This can be found using a common method with Venn diagrams.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

A
Andrew Quin

The Least Common Multiple is when you are given two numbers, is the number which is the smallest multiple which is common to them both. For example, given the numbers 5 and 6. the multiples which are common to them both are 30, 60, 90 and more. So the LCM would be 30.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

L
Lakshika

LCM stands for the lowest common multiple. It is the smallest number that is a multiple of all the numbers given in the question. It can be used in adding or subtracting fractions to find a common denominator. It can be worked out in multiple ways but the simplest is to just to write out a list of the multiples of each number starting with the bigger number. Then compare to find the LCM.

Example: Find the LCM of 4 and 6

Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ...

Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, ...

Lowest common multiple: 12


Found this useful? Give kudos!

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