What is LCM?

In mathematics, least common multiple, which is ordinarily reffered to as LCM is characterized as the smallest non-zero number which is divisible by both given numbers 14 and 7.

Properties of LCM

  • LCM follows associative property, that means LCM(14, 7) = LCM(7, 14).
  • LCM follows commutative property, which means LCM(a, b, c) = LCM(LCM(a, b), c) = LCM(a, LCM(b, c)).
  • LCM follows distributive property, which means LCM(ab, bc, ad) = d * LCM(x, y, z).
  • The LCM of two given numbers is never less than any of those numbers. Eg- LCM of 14 and 7 is 14, where 14 and 7 are less than 14.
  • The LCM of two or more prime numbers is their product.

Steps to find lcm of 14 and 7 by Listing Method

Example: Find lcm of 14 and 7 by Listing Method

  • Multiples of 14: 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98
  • Multiples of 7: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98

Hence, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Steps to find LCM of 14 and 7 by Common Division Method

Example: Find lcm of 14 and 7 by Common Division Method

2 14 7
7 7 7
1 1

Hence, LCM of 14 and 7 is 2 x 7 = 14.

Steps to find lcm of 14 and 7 by Formula

Example: Find lcm of 14 and 7 by Formula

  • GCF of 14 and 7 = 7
  • LCM of 14 and 7 = (14 x 7) / 7
  • => 98 / 7

Hence, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Examples

Franky and Joy are running on a circular track. They start at the same time. They take 14 and 7 minutes respectively to go round once. Find at what time they will run together?

Franky and Joy are running on a circular track. They take 14 and 7 minutes respectively to go round once. We need to find out at what time (minimum) they will run together again. For this we need to find the LCM of 14 and 7.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

A shopkeeper sells candies in packet of 14 and chocolates in packet of 7. What is the least number of candies and chocolates Annie should buy so that there will be one candy for each chocolate?

The least number of candies and chocolates Annie should buy so that there will be one candy for each chocolate we need to find the lcm of 14 and 7.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Both the cricket team and the rugby team had games, today. The cricket team plays every 14 days and the basketball team plays every 7 days. When will both teams have games on the same day again?

Given that the cricket team plays every 14 days and the basketball team plays every 7 days, so for finding the next time when both teams will play again we need to find the LCM of 14 and 7.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Freddy saves 14 dollars every day while Nikki saves 7 dollars every day. What is the least number of days it will take each person to save the same amount of money?

To find the least number of days that would be taken to be able to save the same amount of dollars we need to find the LCM of 14 and 7.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Boxes that are 14 inches tall are being pilled next to boxes that are 7 inches tall. What is the least height in feet at which the two piles will be the same height?

To find the least height in feet at which the two piles will be at same height we will find LCM of 14 and 7.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Sammy's company prints 14 textbooks at a time. Daniel's company prints textbooks in sets of 7 at a time. According to a survey done by a committee, both companies printed the same number of textbooks last year. Find the least number of books that each company would have printed.

To find the least number of textbooks that each company could have printed we need to find the LCM of 14 and 7.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.

Ariel exercises every 14 days and Rubel every 7 days. They both excercised today. How many days will it be until they excercise together again?

The problem can be solved using LCM, because we are trying to figure out the least time until they excercise together again.
So, LCM of 14 and 7 is 14.