LCM Calculator
Find least common multiple
LCM & GCD Relationship
When to Use LCM
How to Use the LCM Calculator
The LCM (Least Common Multiple) calculator finds the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers. See the solution using multiple methods: prime factorization, listing multiples, and the division method.
What is LCM?
The Least Common Multiple is the smallest positive number that is divisible by all the given numbers:
LCM(4, 6) = 12 because 12 is the smallest number divisible by both 4 and 6.
Method 1: Prime Factorization
- Find the prime factorization of each number
- Take the highest power of each prime
- Multiply them together
Example: LCM(12, 18)
12 = 2² × 3
18 = 2 × 3²
LCM = 2² × 3² = 4 × 9 = 36
Method 2: Listing Multiples
List multiples of each number until you find a common one:
Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20...
Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24...
LCM = 12
Method 3: Using GCF
The LCM and GCF are related:
LCM(a, b) = (a × b) / GCF(a, b)
Real-World Applications
- Adding fractions: Finding a common denominator
- Scheduling: When events coincide again
- Gear ratios: Finding full rotation cycles
Related Calculators
For finding the GCF, use our GCF calculator. For fraction operations, try our fraction calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Least Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest positive number that both numbers divide into evenly. For example, LCM(4, 6) = 12 because 12 is the smallest number divisible by both 4 and 6 (12÷4=3, 12÷6=2).
LCM and GCF are connected: LCM(a,b) × GCF(a,b) = a × b. So if you know the GCF, you can find the LCM quickly. For 12 and 18: GCF = 6, so LCM = (12 × 18) / 6 = 216 / 6 = 36.
To add fractions, they need the same denominator. The LCM of the denominators (called LCD, Least Common Denominator) is the smallest such denominator. For 1/4 + 1/6, LCD = LCM(4,6) = 12. Convert: 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12.
When one number divides evenly into the other, the LCM is the larger number. For example, LCM(4, 8) = 8 because 4 divides into 8. This makes sense: 8 is already divisible by both 4 and 8.
Find the LCM of the first two, then find the LCM of that result with the third number, and so on. Or use prime factorization: take the highest power of each prime that appears in any number. LCM(4,6,9) = 2² × 3² = 36.
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