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LCM calculator

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LCM calculator computes Least common multiple of two or more numbers using five methods. (division method, listing multiples method, prime factors, ladder method and the LCM formula). The calculator shows a full step-by-step solution of each method, along with a Venn diagram.

Find Least Common Multiple of 299 and 248 using division method..

solution

LCM( 299, 248 ) = 74152

explanation

Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.

 299248

Step 2 : Divide the given numbers by smallest prime number. In this example we can divide by 2.

(if any number is not divisible by 2, write it down unchanged)

2299248
 299124

Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.

2299248
2299124
229962
1329931
232331
31131
 11

Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.

LCM( 299, 248 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 13 · 23 · 31 = 74152 .

This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.

The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.

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LCM Calculator
Five methods each with its own steps
help ↓↓ examples ↓↓ tutorial ↓↓
calculate lcm of 6 and 10
12,20
15,35,14
Prime factors method
Division method
Listing multiples method
Ladder (cake) method
LCM formula
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Examples
ex 1:
Find the lowest number that is divisible by 12 and 15.
ex 2:
Calculate the LCM of 15, 140 and 32 using the prime factorization method.
ex 3:
Find the least common multiple of 18, 15, 96 and 102 using the ladder method.
ex 4:
Find the least common multiple of 204 and 315 using the LCM formula.
Find more worked-out examples in our database of solved problems.

What is Least Common Multiple?

The least common multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that can be divided by all the given numbers. For example, LCM(8,6)=24, because 24 is divisible by 8 and 6, and it is the smallest such number.

How to calculate LCM

There are five common methods for calculating LCM. We'll use simple examples to show how to use each of these methods.

Find LCM by listing multiples

Example: find LCM of 8 and 6 by listing multiples.

Step 1: The first few multiples of 6 and 8 are:

Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30

Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40

Step 2: LCM is the smallest numbers that appears in both lists:

LCM (6, 8) = 24

Note:This method is unsuitable for numbers that are greater than 20.

Find LCM using prime factors

Example: Find the LCM of 8, 12 and 30.

Step 1: Prime factorizations of given numbers are:

8 = 2 · 2 · 2

12 = 2 · 2 · 3

30 = 2 · 3 · 5

Step 2: Match primes vertically

8 = 2 · 2 · 2    
12 = 2 · 2 ·   3  
30 = 2 ·     3 · 5

Step 3: Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:

8 = 2 · 2 · 2    
12 = 2 · 2 ·   3  
30 = 2 ·     3 · 5
LCM = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 5 = 120

This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.

Venn diagram for LCM of numbers 8, 12 and 30.

Find LCM using the ladder method

Example: Find the LCM of 84 and 112, using Ladder method.

Step 1: Place the numbers inside the division bar:

84 112

Step 2: Divide both numbers by 2:

2 84 112
42 56

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until you can no longer divide

2 84 112
2 42 56
7 21 28
  3 4

Step 4:LCM is a product of numbers into L shape.

2 84 112
2 42 56
7 21 28
  3 4

LCM = 2 · 2 · 7 · 3 · 4 = 336

Find LCM using division method

Example: find LCM of 18, 24 and 60 using the division method.

Step 1: Write the given numbers on a horizontal line.

18 24 60

Step 2: Divide numbers by the smallest prime number. If any number is not divisible by 2 write it down unchanged.

18 24 60
2 9 12 30
2 9 6 15
2 9 3 15

Step 3:Continue dividing by prime numbers 3, 5, 7... Stop when the last row contains only ones.

18 24 60
2 9 12 30
2 9 6 15
2 9 3 15
3 3 1 5
3 1 1 5
5 1 1 1

Step 4:Multiply the numbers in the first column to get LCM

LCM(18, 24, 60) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 5 = 360

LCM formula

Example: find LCM of 48 and 60?

In this section we use formula

$$ \text{LCM(a,b)} = \dfrac{ a \cdot b }{ \text{GCD(a,b)} } $$

Since GCD(48, 60) = 12, we have:

$$ \text{LCM(48, 60)} = \dfrac{ 48 \cdot 60 }{ \text{GCD(48, 60)} } = \dfrac{2880}{12} = 240$$
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