Least Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that is divisible by all given numbers. For example: LCM(8, 6) = 24. This calculator computes LCM of two or more number using 5 different methods. For each method calculator will show detailed step by step explanation.
This calculator uses five methods to find Least Common Multiple. We will show them using few examples.
Example: find LCM of 8 and 6 by listing multiples.
Step 1: First few multiples of 6 and 8 are:
Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40
Step 2: LCM is the smallest numbers that appears in both lists:
LCM (6, 8) = 24
Note:This method is not suitable for numbers that are greater than 20.
Example: Find the LCM of 8, 12 and 30.
Step 1: prime factorization of given numbers are:
8 = 2 · 2 · 2
12 = 2 · 2 · 3
30 = 2 · 3 · 5
Step 2: Match primes vertically
8 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||||
12 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||||
30 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 5 |
Step 3: Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
8 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||||||
12 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||||||
30 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 5 | ||||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 5 | = | 120 |
Example: Find LCM of 84 and 112, using Ladder method.
Step 1: Place the numbers inside division bar:
84 | 112 |
Step 2: Divide both numbers by 2:
2 | 84 | 112 |
42 | 56 |
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until you can no longer divide
2 | 84 | 112 |
2 | 42 | 56 |
7 | 21 | 28 |
3 | 4 |
Step 4:LCM is a product of numbers into L shape.
2 | 84 | 112 |
2 | 42 | 56 |
7 | 21 | 28 |
3 | 4 |
LCM = 2 · 2 · 7 · 3 · 4 = 336
Example: find LCM of 18, 24 and 60 using division method.
Step 1: Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
18 | 24 | 60 |
Step 2: Divide numbers with smallest prime number. If any number is not divisible by 2 write it down unchanged.
18 | 24 | 60 | |
2 | 9 | 12 | 30 |
2 | 9 | 6 | 15 |
2 | 9 | 3 | 15 |
Step 3:Continue dividing by prime numbers 3, 5, 7... Stop when the last row contains only ones.
18 | 24 | 60 | |
2 | 9 | 12 | 30 |
2 | 9 | 6 | 15 |
2 | 9 | 3 | 15 |
3 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4:Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM
LCM(18, 24, 60) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 5 = 360
Example: find LCM of 48 and 60?
In this section we use formula
$$ \text{LCM(a,b)} = \dfrac{ a \cdot b }{ \text{GCD(a,b)} } $$Since GCD(48, 60) = 12, we have:
$$ \text{LCM(48, 60)} = \dfrac{ 48 \cdot 60 }{ \text{GCD(48, 60)} } = \dfrac{2880}{12} = 240$$Please tell me how can I make this better.