Learn how to find the Least Common Multiple of two or more numbers in few easy steps.
Step by step guide to finding the Least Common Multiple
- Least Common Multiple is the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in common.
- How to find LCM: list out all the multiples of each number and then find the smallest one they have in common.
Example 1:
Find the LCM for \(8\) and \(6\).
Solution:
Multiples of \(8\): \(8, 16, 24, 32, 40, …\)
Multiples of \(6\): \(6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 …\)
LCM \(=24\)
Example 2:
Find the LCM for \(4\) and \(12\).
Solution:
Multiples of \(4\): \(4, 8, 12, 16, 20, …\)
Multiples of \(12\): \(12, 24, 36, 48, …\)
LCM \(=12\)
Example 3:
Find the LCM for \(3\) and \(4\).
Solution:
Multiples of \(3\): \(3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24\)
Multiples of \(4\): \(4,8,12,16,20,24\)
LCM \(=12\)
Example 4:
Find the LCM for \(9\) and \(12\).
Solution:
Multiples of \(9\): \(9,18,27,36,45\)
Multiples of \(12\): \(12,24,36,48\)
LCM \(=36\)
Exercises
Find the LCM for each number pair.
- \(\color{blue}{4,14}\)
- \(\color{blue}{5,15}\)
- \(\color{blue}{16,10}\)
- \(\color{blue}{4,34}\)
- \(\color{blue}{8,3}\)
- \(\color{blue}{12,24}\)
Download Least Common Multiple Worksheet
Answers
- \(\color{blue}{28}\)
- \(\color{blue}{15}\)
- \(\color{blue}{80}\)
- \(\color{blue}{68}\)
- \(\color{blue}{24}\)
- \(\color{blue}{24}\)
