The Lesson
The least common multiple is the smallest multiple that is common to two or more numbers.Understanding the Least Common Multiple
The multiples of a number are the numbers that result when that number is multiplied by an integer (a whole number). The multiples of 2 are found by multiplying 2 by successive integers: 2 × 1 = 2 , 2 × 2 = 4...The multiples of 3 are:
We see that 6 and 12 are both multiples of 2 and 3. They are common multiples. 6 is the smallest of the common multiples. It is the least common multiple of 2 and 3.
How to Find the Least Common Multiple
The least common multiple of any numbers can be found. If you wanted to find the least common multiple of 3 and 4, you would first list the multiples of each number...Multiples of 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
Multiples of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Multiples of 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
Multiples of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
how to find the least common multiple
What's in a Name?
The least common multiple (LCM) is so called because it is the smallest (least) multiple that is the same (common) to the numbers.What Is a Multiple?
A multiple is the result of multiplying a number by an integer (a whole number). For example, the multiples of 3 are:
3, 6, 9, 12, 15
- 3 is the result of multiplying 3 by 1.
- 6 is the result of multiplying 3 by 2.
- 9 is the result of multiplying 3 by 3.
- 12 is the result of multiplying 3 by 4.
- 15 is the result of multiplying 3 by 5.