Least Common Multiple Math Example 1

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Example 1

easy

Find the LCM of

12

and

18

Solution

1
Prime-factor each number: $12 = 2^2 \times 3$ and $18 = 2 \times 3^2$ .
2
For the LCM, keep the highest exponent of each prime that appears: $2^2$ and $3^2$ .
3
Multiply those factors: $2^2 \times 3^2 = 4 \times 9 = 36$ , so the LCM is $36$ .

Answer

36

The LCM is the product of all prime factors, each raised to the highest power from either number. The LCM is the smallest number that both original numbers divide into evenly.

About Least Common Multiple

The smallest positive integer that is divisible by each of two or more given numbers—where their multiples first coincide.

Learn more about Least Common Multiple →

More Least Common Multiple Examples

Example 2 medium

Find the LCM of [formula], [formula], and [formula].

Example 3 easy

Find the LCM of [formula] and [formula].

Example 4 easy

Two lights flash every [formula] seconds and every [formula] seconds. If they flash together now, af

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Multiples Adding Fractions