The least common multiple (LCM) is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both a and b. It is also defined as the smallest multiple that two or more numbers have in common. For example, the LCM of 2 and 3 is 6, which is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both 2 and 3.
To find the LCM of two or more numbers, one method is to list out the multiples of each number until we find the smallest multiple they have in common. Another method is to use prime factorization, where we find the prime factors of each number and then multiply the highest power of each prime factor together.
The LCM is used in many situations, such as finding the lowest common denominator of two or more fractions, which is important in adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. It is also used in real-life situations, such as finding the minimum distance each of three people should walk so that they can cover the same distance in complete steps.
