does anyone know how to explain Least Common Multiple in a easy way, where i can understand?
2006-09-27 14:18:09 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The least common multiple (lcm) is the smallest number that is a divisor for all the numbers in your list. For example, if your list is 24, 36, and 60, the least common multiple is 360.
To figure out the lcm, break the numbers into their prime factors and find the common factors for all of them. For example:
24 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3
36 = 2 * 2 * 3 * 3
60 = 2 * 2 * 3 * 5
The most number of 2 factors you have is 3. The most number of 3 factors you have is 2, and you have a 5 factor. So, the lcm = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 5 = 360
2006-09-27 14:25:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Explain Least Common Multiple
2016-11-08 02:16:13 · answer #2 · answered by sachiko 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sage and photografr both have good answers. Read their answer first. If you need more then read this.
Least Common Multiple does not really have any value except when it's used to find the Least Common Denominator. Finding the least common denominator is helpful when you add dissimilar fractions, because it gives you a shortcut compared to the sledgehammer method of cross-multiplying then simplifying your answer.
The reason is, if you find the Least Common Multiple using the factor method as Sage explained, you actually cancel out the common factors that would otherwise appear in your answer.
When you add dissimilar fractions simply by finding "some" common denominator, but not the least one, you have to simplify your answer afterward. When you use the Least Common Denominator, the answer automatically comes out in the simplest form. (Careful - This is only true when the fractions in the original problem were simplified.)
Hope this helps.
2006-09-27 14:58:07 · answer #3 · answered by semdot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The least common multiple is the smallest number of which both numbers are a factor. For instance, the LCM of 4 and 5 is 20 because 20 is divisible by both and it is the smallest number that is divisible by both.
To find the LCM, either do multiples of the larger number and see if the smaller number is a divisor (Example -- does 4 divide into 5? no. Does 4 divide into 10? no Does 4 divide into 15? no Does 4 divide into 20? Yes!!!). That works for "friendly" numbers.
If you don't have friendly numbers or need to justify your answer, take the prime factorization of each number. Let's use 10 and 12 for this example. For instance, 10 breaks down to 2 and 5; 12 breaks down to 2, 2, and 3. Take the MOST of each factor you have. I have 2s, 3s, and 5s. Between the original numbers, I have either one 2 or two 2s -- two 2s is more. I have one five or zero fives -- one five is more. I have one three or zero threes -- one three is more. So I take the most of each factor and multiply them all together -- 2 * 2 * 3 * 5 which is 60.
2006-09-27 14:30:41 · answer #4 · answered by Sage B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
say 3 and 8
write down the multiples of 3
3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27... etc
write down the multiples of 8
8,16,24,32...etc
what's the smallest number on both list? yup 24 is the least common multiple
2006-09-27 14:23:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
the least common multiple is the smallest number that 2 or more numbers can go into. another definition is it's also the same as least commom denominater
2006-09-27 14:23:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
smallest number that goes into 2 numbers evenly. like 3 and 9 which is 1. Ex) 3- 1, 3
9- 1, 3, 9..
2006-09-27 14:21:29 · answer #7 · answered by sean f 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
2 self explained hope you got it
2006-09-27 14:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by janwiseusman 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋