What is LCM

LCM stands for Lowest Common Multiple (of several given numbers). It is the smallest number that can be divided exactly by all the given numbers. For example, the LCM of 10, 12 and 15 is 60. We write each number out as a product of its prime factors and then find the product of the smallest list that contains all the products. When combining fractions we also write LCD to mean lowest common denominator, which is identified in exactly the same way:

With our example, we would write 10 = 2x5; 12 = 2x2x3 and 15 = 3x5. When we put these together we must have 2x2 (from the 12) x3 (from both the 12 and the 15) and x5 (from both the 10 and the 15), so we end up with 2x2x3x5. Practise with a few more, simple examples and you will quickly get the hang of it.

LCM is often mentioned in conjunction with HCF (Highest Common Factor), which we can talk about later.

LCM means Lower Common Multiples. Basically MULTIPLES are the numbers within the times tables. For example Mutiples of 2 are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc ; Multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 etc. Lowest common multiples of 2 and 3 is 6. Its the common multiple between the times tables.

It is the smallest common number that can be formed from a number set

For example: If we have 5 10 15

the LCM is 30

it can be formed from 5 (5*6=30)

10(10*3=30)

15(10*3=30)

There is no other common number that is smalled than 30

LCM means Lowest Common Multiple or Least Common Multiple of two or more positive integer, it is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both.

Example; the LCM of 3 and 12 is; 12

This means the Lowest Common Multiple, e.g. what is the LCM of 3 and 4? The answer is 12, because it is the FIRST multiple of both numbers (common answers in their times tables). Usually find the LCM by just multiplying the two numbers...

LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. It is the smallest common multiple of two or more numbers. Eg. The LCM of 4 & 5 would be 20.

LCM = Lowest Common Multiple

So imagine you have 2 numbers, for example 3 and 5, the lowest common multiple (LCM) would be the smallest number that appears in both the 3 times table, and the 5 times table.

If we look at the 3 times table: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30.....

And then the 5 times table too: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50....

We can see that the smallest number appearing in both lists is 15

This means that 15 is the lowest common multiple of 3 and 5.

Hope this helps!

When you have several numbers, such as 3, 4, and 5, and you want to know what the lowest number is that they are all a factor of, or in other words, the smallest number that they all divide into, that number (in this case, 60) is called the LCM, the lowest or least common multiple.

It is the least common multiple, also known as the lowest common multiple of two (or more) integers a and b, is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both.

To calculate the LCM of the two numbers A and B by the listing method, we use the steps given below:

• Step 1: List the first few multiples of A and B.
• Step 2: Mark the common multiples from the multiples of both numbers.
• Step 3: Select the smallest common multiple. That lowest common multiple is the LCM of the two numbers.

Take a set of numbers. The number which is a multiple of all numbers involved is a common multiple. The lowest common multiple is thus the lowest possible version of this. For example, common multiples of "4, 2, 7" are: 28, 56, 84. The lowest of these numbers is 28, so 28 is the lowest common multiple.

Lower common multiple

Lowest Common Multiple - this means that if you have two numbers, you need to find the lowest number that is a multiple of each one!

LCM is the lowest common multiple. To find the LCM of two numbers, you need to find the multiples of each number. Then, find the smallest multiple that is divisible by each number.

For example:

5 and 8

5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40

8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40

So 40 is the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 5 and 8

LCM stands for 'Lowest Common Multiple' i.e. a number that is a multiple of two other numbers and also the lowest common multiple between them e.g. the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12, the LCM of 8 and 12 is 24

Low Common Multiple