The least common multiple (LCM) is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple both of a and of b. You can also find the LCM of more than two integers. This is a key topic to understand in order to add and subtract fractions with ease.
The easiest way to find the LCM of two or more integers is to start by multiplying the number by 1, then by 2, then by 3, etc. In the process, you are making a list of the multiples of each number. The LCM is the lowest number that appears in ALL lists. Let’s do an example by finding the LCM of 8 and 10.
multiples of 8 = 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, …
multiples of 10 = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, …
One can easily see that 40 is the lowest number that appears in BOTH lists. To do much tougher LCM problems, check out this LCM calculator which will also calculate the GCF (greatest common factor) at The least common multiple (LCM) is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple both of a and o! f b. You can also find the LCM of more than two integers. This is a key topic to understand in order to add and subtract fractions with ease.
The easiest way to find the LCM of two or more integers is to start by multiplying the number by 1, then by 2, then by 3, etc. In the process, you are making a list of the multiples of each number. The LCM is the lowest number that appears in ALL lists. Let’s do an example by finding the LCM of 8 and 10.
multiples of 8 = 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, …
multiples of 10 = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, …
One can easily see that 40 is the lowest number that appears in BOTH lists. To do much tougher LCM problems, check out this LCM calculator which will also calculate GCF (greatest common factor) at http://www.mathematicsmagazine.com/applications/GCF_LCM.htm .
least common multiple lcm
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