1. 5.5
Least Common Multiple

2. Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) by Listing
Least Common Multiple (LCM): The smallest natural number that is divisible by all the given numbers.
To find the LCM by listing, list the multiples of the greatest given number until you find a multiple that is divisible by all the other given numbers.
Example: Find the LCM of 4 and 6
6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, …
4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, …

3. Find the LCM of 36 and 120
120: 120, 240, 360, …
36 does not divide 120 evenly, so we go to the next multiple of 120
36 does not divide 240 evenly, so we go to the next multiple of 120
36 divides 360 evenly 10 times. This is the LCM
LCM of 36 and 120 is 360

4. Find the LCM using Prime Factorization
Find the prime factorization of each given number.
Write a factorization that contains each prime factor the greatest number of times it occurs in the factorization. Or, if you prefer to use exponents, the factorization contains each prime factor raised to the greatest exponent that occurs in the factorization.
Multiply to get the LCM.

5. Find the LCM of a Set of Monomials
Same procedure as finding LCM for a set of numbers.
When finding the LCM for a group of monomials include each coefficient and variable to the highest degree.
Let’s look at some examples

6. Find the LCM of 24, 90, and 70 using prime factorization.
24 = 23 • 3
90 = 2 • 32 • 5
70 = 2 • 5 • 7
LCM (24, 90, 70) = 23 • 32 • 5 • 7
= 8 • 9 • 5 • 7
= 2520
23 has the greatest exponent for 2,
32 has the greatest exponent for 3,
5 has the greatest exponent for 5,
and 7 has the greatest exponent for 7.

7. Find the LCM of 18x3y and 24xz2.
18x3y = 2 • 32 • x3 • y
24xz2 = 23 • 3 • x • z2
LCM(18x3y, 24xz2) = 23 • x3 • y • z2
= 72x3yz2
23 has the greatest exponent for 2,
32 has the greatest exponent for 3,
x3 has the greatest exponent for x,
y has the greatest exponent for y,
and z2 has the greatest exponent for z.

8. You Try… Find the LCM
18 and 24 4, 6, and 9 9m2n and 12m4

9. Write Factions as equivalent Fractions with the Least Common Denominator (LCD)
Least Common Denominator (LCD): The least common multiple of the denominator

10. 1st, find the LCM of the denominator
15: 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, ….
12: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, …
Both denominators need to be 60:

11. We know that the LCD for the two fractions will be the LCD
between 8 and 6 with an x2 involved.
8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, …
6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, ….
So the LCD will be 24x2