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