L.C.M. (Least Common Multiple)


 

L.C.M. (Least Common Multiple)

We take an example of Multiplication :
Example : Multiple of 12  
Result     : 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96,108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192,........., n
Example : Multiple of 15
Result     : 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 195, 220,................, n

As per above examples we can say that least common number in 12 & 15 is "60", So 60 is the LCM of 12 & 15.

LCM Definition : Least Common Number which is exactly divisible by given number, It is called LCM.
 
There are 2 methods in L.C.M.
1) Factorization Method
2) Division Method

1) Factorization Method:
If we want to find the LCM of 2 or more than 2 numbers at that time we have to calculate prime factor of each number and take common factors (if common factors are in at least 2 number then we have to take that number as common factor) only 1 time and take other remaining numbers, multiply Common Factor and remaining number.
Example : Find the LCM of 12 & 15
Solution  :  12 = 2*2*3*
                    15 = 3*5
                   So, LCM = 3*2*2*5 = 60 , 
                   NOTE: Here, We are taking 3 only one time because 3 is common in both.

2) Division Method:
If we want to find the LCM of 2 or more than 2 numbers at that time we have to divide all given number as per given below and multiply the Quotients.

Example : Find the LCM of 12 & 15
Solution  :  
                       2| 12    15
                       2 6    15
                       3|   3    15
                       5  1      5
                         |           1

                      LCM = 2*2*3*5 = 60

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Questions:

1) Find LCM of 18, 24 & 36 with the help of Factorization Method.
    Ans: 72
                Prime Factor of 18 = 2 * 3 * 3
                                          24 = * 22*3
                                          36 = * 2 * 3*3
                 LCM  = * 2 * 3 * 3 * 2  = 72

2) Find the LCM of 36, 84, 132, 180 with the help of Factorization Method.       
    Ans: 13860
              Prime Factor of 36   = 2*2*3*3
                                        84   = 2*2*3*7
                                        132 = 2*2*3*11
                                        180 = 2*2*3*3*5
                 LCM = 2*2*3*3*5*7*11 = 13860

3) Find the LCM of 18, 36 & 84 with the help of Division Method.
    Ans: 6
                       2| 18    36    84
                       2|   9    18    42
                       3|   9      9    21
                       3  3      3      7
                       7  1      1      7
                         |                   1
                          
                      LCM = 2*2*3*3*7 = 252




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