Least Common Multiple (LCM) of a Set of Numbers

I. Learning Objectives
Cognitive: Find the least common multiple of a set of numbers
Psychomotor: Write the multiples and least common multiple of a set of numbers
Affective: Work cooperatively with the other members of the group

II. Learning Content
Skill: Finding the least common multiple of a set of numbers
Reference: BEC-PELC I.A.5.1

III. Learning Experiences
A. Preparatory Activities
1. Drill
Fill-in multiples

2. Motivation
Recall the concept of multiples through skip counting. Do you know how to skip count by 6? 8? 7? 9?
You may further ask: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 are multiples of what number? Give other examples.

B. Developmental Activities
1. Presentation
Method 1: Use the multiplication table to find the LCM
To find the LCM of a set of numbers, take each number in the set and jot down a list of the first several
multiples in order. The LCM is the first number that appears on every list.
When looking for the LCM of two numbers, start by listing multiples of the higher number, but stop this list
when the number of multiples youve written down equals the lower number. Then start listing multiples of
the lower number until one of them matches the first list.
For example, suppose you want to find the LCM of 4 and 6. Begin by listing multiples of the higher
number, which is 6. In this case, list only four of these multiples because the lower number is 4.
Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24 , . . .
Now, start listing multiples of 4:
Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12 , . . .
Because 12 is the first number to appear on both lists of multiples, 12 is the LCM of 4 and 6.
This method works especially well when you want to find the LCM of two numbers, but it may take longer
if you have more numbers. When working with three numbers, first multiply the two lowest numbers. For
the second-highest number, find the product of the other two numbers and list that many multiples.
Repeat for the lowest number.
Suppose, for instance, you want to find the LCM of 2, 3, and 5. Again, start with the highest number in
this case, 5 listing six numbers (the product of the other two numbers, 2 3 = 6):
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 , . . .
Next, list multiples of 3, listing ten of them (because 2 5 = 10):
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 , . . .
The only numbers repeated on both lists are 15 and 30. In this case, you can save yourself the trouble of
making the last list because 30 is obviously a multiple of 2, and 15 isnt. So 30 is the LCM of 2, 3, and 5.
Method 2: Use prime factorization to find the LCM
A second method for finding the LCM of a set of numbers is to use the prime factorizations of those
numbers. Heres how:
1. List the prime factors of each number.
Suppose you want to find the LCM of 18 and 24. List the prime factors of each number:
18 = 2 3 3
24 = 2 2 2 3
2. For each prime number listed, underline the most repeated occurrence of this number in any
prime factorization.
The number 2 appears once in the prime factorization of 18 but three times in that of 24, so
underline the three 2s:
18 = 2 3 3
24 = 2 2 2 3
Similarly, the number 3 appears twice in the prime factorization of 18 but only once in that of 24, so
underline the two 3s:
18 = 2 3 3
24 = 2 2 2 3
3. Multiply all the underlined numbers.
Heres the product:
2 2 2 3 3 = 72
So the LCM of 18 and 24 is 72. This checks out because
18 4 = 72
24 3 = 72

2. Fixing Skills
Complete the given chart.
Numbers Product GCF LCM
1) 6, 10
2) 10, 21
3) 9, 12
4) 12, 16
5) 8, 40, 54

3. Generalization
What is the least common multiple (LCM) of a set of numbers? The least common multiple (LCM) of a
set of numbers is the smallest non-zero number that is a multiple of all of the numbers in the set.

C. Application
1. What is the least number of mangoes that can be divided equally among 9, 8 and 12 children?
2. Find the LCM of each pair of numbers
a. 32 and 23
b. 23 and 42

IV. Evaluation
A. Give the least common multiple (LCM).
1) 6 and 8
2) 3 and 6
3) 10 and 4
4) 8 and 10
5) 9 and 4

B. Name the LCM of these set of numbers:
1) 12, 18, 36
2) 8, 12, 18
3) 8, 12, 16
4) 10, 15, 45
5) 18, 12, 30

V. Assignment
A. Find the LCM of these set of numbers.
1) 8, 12, 30
2) 18, 27, 35
3) 9, 12, 18
4) 12, 20, 45
5) 4, 10, 8