Multiple: A number which

appears in the given number’s

MULTIPLication table

Multiples of 2 = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14…

Multiples of 6 = 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36…
Multiples of 10 = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60…
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Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
Definition
The Lowest Common Multiple of two or more numbers is the
smallest common multiple of these numbers.

Common Multiples

Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) = 24

Monday, 15 March 2021

Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

Methods of determining LCM

Method of
Method of Method of
listing the
repeated prime
common
division factorisation
multiples
Monday, 15 March 2021 Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

1. Method of Listing the Common Multiples

 List all multiples of each number
 Circle all common multiples
 The lowest circled number is the LCM.
Example:
Determine the LCM of 6 and 12.

Multiples of 6 : 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36…

Multiples of 12 : 12, 24, 36, 48, 60…
LCM = 12
 Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
2. Method of Repeated Division
1. Divide the numbers
repeatedly by a
divisor that can divide Bring down the
completely at least number if it
one of the numbers. cannot divide
completely with
the divisor

2. Division is
continued until all the
quotients become 1.

2. Multiply all
the divisors
Example:
Determine the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 12, 16 and 24.

LCM = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3
= 48
3/15/2021 Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
3. Method of Prime Factorisation
Find the Highest Common Factor of 12 and 20

1. Find the prime

factorization of each
number.

2. Multiply all the

prime factors
Example:
Determine the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 32, 48 and 72.

LCM = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3
= 288