🛠 TinyUtils

LCM Calculator

The least common multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers is the smallest number that is divisible by all numbers in the set.

Click or tap 'Calculate'
What is LCM?
The least common multiple (LCM), also referred to as lowest common multiple or smallest common multiple, of two integers a and b is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both a and b. [more info]
Methods to Find LCM
There are several methods to find the LCM of a set of numbers. One of these methods is prime factorization (method used by this calculator). Prime factorization works by listing all the prime factors of each number and multiplying the factors with most occurrences for each number.
For example to find the LCM of 8, 12 and 16:
  1. List all prime factors of each number.
    • Prime factors of 8 = 2 * 2 * 2
    • Prime factors of 12 = 2 * 2 * 3
    • Prime factors of 16 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2
  2. Find all the unique prime numbers; in this case 2 and 3.
  3. Find where each factor has the most occurrences. For 2, number 16 has the most occurrences (4 times) and for 3, number 12 has the most occurrences (1 time).
  4. Multiply all the occurrences found in the previous step; so 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 = 48