LEAST COMMON

In order to understand Least Common, we must understand the words:

	Least
	Common

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

Least - Smallest (example: given number {2,3,5,8,36 }, 2 is least).

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} )

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

Least Common

Smallest number that is common between lists of numbers.

Example:

2	4	7	11	23	34	54
1	3	7	9	11	15	36

7 and 11 are common, but, 7 is the smallest of the common number.

7 is the least of the common numbers.

Here are more examples of Least Common:

Given:

List 1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
List 2	3	5	7	9	11	13	15	17

For these sets of numbers, the least common item is 3.

Given:

List 1	1	2	4	6	10	16	26	42
List 2	3	6	9	12	15	16	25	41

For these sets of numbers, the least common item is 6.