LEAST COMMON MULTIPLE (L.C.M)
APPLICATIONS OF L.C.M IN REAL LIFE SITUATIONS

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Multiples of 2 are

Multiples of 3 are: 3, 9, 12, 15, 21, 24, 27, 81, 243 e.t.c

Multiples of 5 are: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35,40,45, e.t.c

Listing common multiples

Common multiples of 2 and 3

For 2 are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 e.t.c

For 3 are 3, 6, 12..... e.t.c

The common multiples of 2 and 3 are 6, 12 e.t.c .

Finding LCM of 8, 16 and 24 using

prime factorization method

Solution

8 = 2³

16 = 2⁴

24 = 2³ x 3

The LCM = 2⁴x 3

= 16 x 3

= 48

Note: LCM is the product of each prime factor in its highest power