Least Common Multiple

 

 

Least Common Multiple

Smallest of the Common Multiples

 

 

 

To understand Least Common Multiples, you should understand:

Common
Least Common
Multiples
Common Multiples

Once these ideas are understood, you can understand Least Common Multiples ..

To understand these concepts, go to the appropriate link to understand the concept for:
Common
Least Common
Multiples
Common Multiples

 

Least Common Multiple

The number that is the smallest of the common multiples.

 

Example:

Multiples of 2 2 4 6 8 10 12
Multiples of 3 3 6 9 12 15 18

The least of the common multiples of 2 and 3 is 6.   That means:

    6 is the least common multiple of 2 and 3.

Here are more examples of Least Common Multiples:

Given:

Multiples of 5 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Multiples of 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
For these sets of multiples, the least common multiple is 10.

Given:

Multiples of 4 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Multiples of 6 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48

For these sets of multiples, the least common multiple is 12.

 

 

Check Your Understanding

Test your skill at identifying the Least Common Multiple of two lists.

  1. Look at number lists 1 and 2.
  2. Enter the number you believe is the Least Common Multiple.
  3. Click the button "Check" and check your answer.
List 1:

 

List 2:

Answer: