Maths

>

KS3

Numbers

Question

What is LCM

2 years ago

Β·

497 Replies

Β·

13962 views

I

Iftikhar


please explain it briefly

Get A Free Cheatsheet For Numbers πŸ”₯

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

R
Rihan K

LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. The least common multiple of two or more numbers is the smallest positive number that is divisible by each of those numbers.

Some key properties of LCM:

  • The LCM of two numbers contains all the prime factors common to both numbers
  • To find the LCM, find all the prime factors of each number and multiply together the highest powers of each prime factor
  • The LCM of a set of numbers is the smallest number (not zero) that can be evenly divided by each number in the set
  • The LCM of two numbers can be calculated using the formula: LCM(a,b) = (a*b) / GCD(a,b), where GCD is the greatest common divisor

Some examples:

  • LCM(2,3) = 6 (factors are 2, 3)
  • LCM(2,8) = 8 (factors are 2, 2, 2)
  • LCM(5,10,15) = 30 (factors are 5, 2, 3)

The LCM has many practical applications from figuring out lowest common denominators to combining rhythms in music composition. Understanding the concept of LCM is foundational for higher math and useful across many disciplines.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

G
Giancarlo Canetti

Lowest common multiple is the lowest number which two other numbers go into.


For example, 3 and 4 both go into 12.

This is the lowest number they both go into, so 12 is the LCM of 3 and 4.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

S
Safanah Khan

Lowest Common Multiple between a set of numbers.

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!

Z
Zoya Mian

The LCM (Least Common Multiple) of two numbers is the smallest number that both can divide evenly.

For example, to find the LCM of 4 and 5:

  • Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ...
  • Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, ...

The smallest common number is 20, so the LCM of 4 and 5 is 20.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

Tom J Profile Picture
Tom J Verified Sherpa Tutor βœ“

Mathematics and physics graduate. Experienced tutor of over 5 years.

1 reviews

LCM stands for "lowest common multiplier". You would usually talk about it in the context of the "lowest common multiplier" of two numbers, however we can find the LCM of any amount of numbers.


In the case of two numbers, LCM means the smallest number that both of the two numbers share as a multiple.


For example, the multiples of 2 are 2, 4, 6, 8, etc, and the multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, etc. Therefore, the LCM of 2 and 3 would be 6, as this is the smallest number that they both share as a multiple.

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.
Adnan A Profile Picture
Adnan A Verified Sherpa Tutor βœ“

Mathematics and Physics tutor with Aerospace Engineering degree

LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. In the question, usually they give you two or three values and ask to find the least common multiple (LCM). The easiest way to find the answer is to list the multiples of the values and once a common multiple is found, bam, well you got the answer.


for example, question asks you, "Find the LCM of 24 & 18".

List the multiples of 24 and 18 like below

24 -> 48, 72, 96

18 -> 36, 54, 72


The answer is 72 as it is the smallest multiple (or least common multiple) for both values.






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.
Shahriar A Profile Picture
Shahriar A Verified Sherpa Tutor βœ“

Experienced Maths tutor and A* achiever!

This stands for lowest common multiple for 2 numbers, for example the LCM of 5 and 6 would be 30 as this is the smallest number that is divisible by both 5 and 6.

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.
R
Rosie

LCM stands for "Least Common Multiple." In mathematics, it refers to the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in common. For example, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12, because it's the smallest number that both 4 and 6 divide evenly into. Hope this helps !

Found this useful? Give kudos!

C
Celissia Ehiwarior

LCM means the lowest common multiple. The lcm is the smallest multiple that two or more numbers share. It is the smallest number that can be divided by each of the given numbers without leaving a remainder. For example the lcm of 4 and 6 is 12 because it’s the smallest number that both 4 and 6 can go into without leaving any remainders and evenly divides.


Found this useful? Give kudos!

A
Ashan Bala

An LCM is known as the Lowest Common Multiple. You are normally asked the Lowest Common Multiple of 2 or more numbers. If you wrote the times tables of these 2 numbers individually, it is the lowest number on both of the times tables lists.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

E
Emmanuel Kwame

Least common multiple

Found this useful? Give kudos!

C
Charlotte Barber

The LCM stands for Lowest Common Multiple and it is the smallest number that two or more numbers can divide into evenly, as whole numbers.

Found this useful? Give kudos!

J
Justin Raine

LCM, or Least Common Multiple, is the smallest positive number that is a multiple of two or more numbers. In other words, it's the smallest number that all the given numbers divide into evenly.


Detailed Explanation:

1.Multiples: A multiple of a number is the result of multiplying that number by an integer. For example, the multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, and so on.


2. Finding the LCM:

  -List Method: List the multiples of each number until you find the smallest multiple they have in common.

   - Example: For 4 and 6:

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

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

    - The LCM is 12, as it’s the first common multiple.

 

Found this useful? Give kudos!

A
Aleena Murphy

A lowest common multiple (LCM) is the smallest possible value divisible by two or more specific numbers!

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