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Least Common Multiple of Numbers

The document discusses finding the least common multiple (LCM) of multiple numbers. It provides 4 examples of calculating the LCM of various number sets using different methods. The methods include listing the prime factors of each number and taking the product of the largest exponents, using the greatest common divisor formula, and directly finding the lowest common multiple by dividing the numbers. The last example demonstrates using the LCM to solve a fraction addition problem.

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Matthew
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4K views

Least Common Multiple of Numbers

The document discusses finding the least common multiple (LCM) of multiple numbers. It provides 4 examples of calculating the LCM of various number sets using different methods. The methods include listing the prime factors of each number and taking the product of the largest exponents, using the greatest common divisor formula, and directly finding the lowest common multiple by dividing the numbers. The last example demonstrates using the LCM to solve a fraction addition problem.

Uploaded by

Matthew
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Least Common Multiple (LCM)

Example 1: Find the LCM of 150 and 54, ie LCM(150,54)

Method 1

3 150 54

2 50 18

25 9

∴ LCM (150, 54) = 3 × 2 × 25 × 9 = 1350

Method 2

Factor each number into the product of primes: (See section on Factorizations of Numbers)

150 ⇒ 2 · 3 · 52
54 ⇒ 2 · 33

Compare each factor and choose the factor that has the higher exponent.

150 ⇒ 2 · 3 · 52
54 ⇒ 2 · 33

∴ LCM = 2 · 33 · 52 = 1350

Method 3

Using GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) to find LCM.

Apply,

a·b
LCM(a,b) = (1)
GCD(a, b)
The GCD(150, 54) is 6 (See Section on GCD).
150 · 54
∴ LCM(150, 54) = = 1350.
6

1
Example 2: Find the LCM of 28, 42, and 126.

Method 1

2 28 42 126

7 14 21 63

Only 2 factors
have something
3 2 3 9 in common, that is 3.
Bring down 2.

2 1 3

When there are no common factors for all three numbers, then you look for the common factor for
the next two numbers.

∴ LCM(28, 42, 126) = 2 × 7 × 3 × 2 × 1 × 3 = 252

Method 2

Factor each number into the product of primes: (See section on Factorizations of Numbers)

28 ⇒ 22 · 7
42 ⇒ 2 · 3 · 7
126 ⇒ 2 · 32 · 7

Compare each factor and choose the factor that has the highest exponent.

28 ⇒ 22 · 7
42 ⇒ 2 · 3 · 7
126 ⇒ 2 · 32 · 7

∴ LCM = 22 · 32 · 7 = 252

Example 3: Find the LCM of 28, 120, 72, and 135.

2
2 28 120 72 135

2 14 60 36 135

3 7 30 18 135

3 7 10 6 45

5 7 10 2 15

2 7 2 2 3

7 1 1 3

∴ LCM(28, 120, 72, 135) = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 2 × 7 × 1 × 1 × 3 = 7560

2 3
Example 4: Use LCM to solve for +
150 54
Find LCM of the denominators 150 and 54. From example 1, LCM(150,54) = 1350.

Now, take and divide the LCM by each denominator,


1350 1350
=9 = 25 (2)
150 54
9 2 25 3
· + · (3)
9 1350 25 1350
Simplifying gives,
18 75 93 31
+ = →
1350 1350 1350 450

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