3.8 [ L.C.

M ] Least Common Multiple

Definition:

The least common multiple of two positive integers a and b is the least positive integer divisible by both
a and b it is denoted by [ a , b ] .

Theorem1

ab
Let a and b positive integers. Then [ a , b ]=
(a , b)

Proof :

Let a= p1a p2a … … .. p na and b= p1b p2b … … .. p nb

1 2 n 1 2 n
be the canonical decompositions of a and ,
respectively.

⇒ ( a ,b )= p1min ⁡[a , b ] p2min ⁡[ a ,b ] … … … … .. pnmin ⁡[a ,b ]

1 1 2 2 n n

and [a , b]=p 1max ⁡[ a ,b ] p2max ⁡[a , b ] … … … … .. p nmax ⁡[a , b ]

1 1 2 2 n n

∴ ( a , b ) .[a , b]= p1min ⁡[ a ,b ] … … … … .. p nmin⁡[a , b ] p1max ⁡[a , b ] … … … ….. pnmax ⁡[ a ,b ]

1 1 n n 1 1 n n

min [ an ,bn ]
¿ p1min ⁡[a , b ] +¿ max ⁡[a ,b ] … … … … .. p n
1 1 1 1
+ max [ an , bn ] ¿

¿ p1a + ¿b p2a +¿b … … .. pna + bn ¿ ¿

1 1 2 2 n

¿( p1 ¿¿ a 1 p2a … … .. pna )( p1b p2b … … .. p nb )¿

2 n 1 2 n

¿ ab

ab
Hence, [ a , b ]=
(a , b)

Example 3.8.1

Find the lcm of 1050 and 2574 using canonical decompositions.

Solution :

2 1050
2 2574
5 525
3 1287
5 105
3 429
3 21
11 143
7
 13

1050=2. 3.5 2 .7

2574=2 .3 2 .11 . 13

lcm [ a , b ] =2 . 32 . 52 .7 .11. 13

¿ 450450