Lowest Common Multiple

Lowest Common Multiple

1. The least common multiple (LCM) is the lowest number that is a multiple of 2 or more numbers.

2. e.g find the LCM of 12 and 20:

   • 12
     • 2
     • 6
       • 3
       • 3
         • THESE ARE THE PRIME NUMBERS.
   • 20
     • 2
     • 10
       • 2
       • 5
         • THESE ARE THE PRIME NUMBERS.
   • Write the numbers as a product of their prime factors.
     • 12=2x2x3
       • Start to cross them off in a venn diagram and you will end up with:
         • The LCM of 12 and 20 is: 2x2x3x5=60
     • 20=2x2x5