LCM

LCM stands for Least Common Multiple, which is the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in common.

For example, the LCM of 2 and 3 is 6 because 6 is the smallest multiple that both 2 and 3 have in common.

To find the LCM of two or more numbers, you can use the following steps:

1. List the prime factors of each number.
2. Identify the common prime factors.
3. For each prime factor, choose the one with the highest exponent.
4. Multiply the chosen prime factors together.

For example, let’s find the LCM of 12 and 18.

1. List the prime factors of each number: 12 = 2 * 2 * 3 18 = 2 * 3 * 3
2. Identify the common prime factors: 2 and 3 are common prime factors.
3. For each prime factor, choose the one with the highest exponent: 2^2 and 3^2 are the highest exponents for the common prime factors.
4. Multiply the chosen prime factors together: LCM(12, 18) = 2^2 * 3^2 = 36.

Therefore, the LCM of 12 and 18 is 36.