Find the LCM of the given numbers. See Example 2.
8, 12
Reference Example 2
Find the LCM of 6 and 8.
Strategy We will write the multiples of the larger number, 8, until we find one that is divisible by the smaller number, 6.
Why The LCM of 6 and 8 is the smallest multiple of 8 that is divisible by 6. Solution
The 1st multiple of 8: 8 · 1 = 8 ← 8 is not divisible by 6. (When we divide, we get a remainder of 2.) Since 8 is not divisible by 6, find the next multiple.
The 2nd multiple of 8: 8 · 2 = 16 ← 16 is not divisible by 6. Find the next multiple.
The 3rd multiple of 8: 8 · 3 = 24 ← 24 is divisible by 6. This is the LCM.
The first multiple of 8 that is divisible by 6 is 24. Thus,
LCM (6, 8) = 24 Read as “The least common multiple of 6 and 8 is 24.”
We can extend this method to find the LCM of three whole numbers.
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