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Question

What is LCM

1 year ago

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321 Replies

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7480 views

I

Iftikhar


please explain it briefly

321 Answers

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. 

T
Thilaxshi Suresh

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

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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.

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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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. The least common multiple of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both of them.

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M
Mary Neeson

This is the lowest common multiple

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.

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LCM stands for "Least Common Multiple." It helps us find the smallest number, that is a multiple of two or more other numbers. Let's use some examples:


Example 1: Let's say you have two numbers, 4 and 6. We want to find the LCM of these two numbers.


First, we list the multiples of each number:

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

- Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, ...


Now, we look for the smallest number that appears in both lists. In this case, 12 is the smallest number that is a multiple of both 4 and 6. So, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12.


Example 2: Let's try three numbers this time: 3, 5, and 7.


First, we list the multiples of each number:

- Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ...

- Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ...

- Multiples of 7: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, ...


Now, we look for the smallest number that appears in all three lists. In this case, 15 is the smallest number that is a multiple of 3, 5, and 7. So, the LCM of 3, 5, and 7 is 15.


The LCM helps us when we need to do things like adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators or solving problems involving multiple numbers. 

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LCM stands for “Least Common Multiple”, for example, the LCM, or Least common multiple of 6 and 9 is 18.

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M
Ms Binny Bahanda

This answer refers to the “lowest common multiple”. This is the lowest times table in common with all of the numbers relating to the question.

S
Sharmarke

lowest common multiple

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