Common Multiples
 

 

Common Multiples

Things that are common to two (or more) lists of multiples

 

 

 

To understand Common Multiples, we must understand the words:

Common
Multiples

Once we understand these words, we are ready to understand Common Multiples.  So, lets look at the words and learn their meaning:

Common - Shared by all, belonging equally to two or more places. (examples: 3, and 9 are common to the lists {1,3,5,7,9,11} and {3,6,9,12,15} )

Multiples - Numbers that are a product of a specific number and the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,... .  (example: 5,10,15 and 20 are multiples of 5)

 

Now, let's look at the phase Common Multiples.

Common Multiples

Numbers that be found in two lists of multiples.  

 

Example:

Multiples of 2 2 4 6 8 10 12

Multiples of 3

3

6 9 12 15 18

In the multiples listed, 6 and 12 are common ... they are common multiples.

Here are more examples of Common Multiples:

Given:

Multiples of 3 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Multiples of 4 4 8 12 16 20 24 27 32
For these sets of multiples, the common multiples are 12 and 24.

Given:

Multiples of 4 4 8 12 16 20 24 27 42
Multiples of 8 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64

For these sets of multiples, the common multiples are 8, 16, and 24.

 

Check Your Understanding

Test your skill recognizing common multiples:

  1. Look at number lists 1 and 2.
  2. Think of the numbers you believe are common.
  3. Click the button "Check" and check your answer.
List 1:

 

List 2:

Answer: