What is LCM of two numbers?

In mathematics, least common multiple which is commonly known as LCM is defined as the smallest non-zero number which is divisible by both given numbers 16 and 7.

Properties of LCM

  • The LCM of two given numbers is never less than any of those numbers. Eg- LCM of 16 and 7 is 112, where 16 and 7 are less than 112.
  • LCM is associative which means LCM(16, 7) = LCM(7, 16).
  • LCM is commutative which means LCM(a, b, c) = LCM(LCM(a, b), c) = LCM(a, LCM(b, c)).
  • LCM is distributive, which means LCM(ab, bc, ad) = d * LCM(x, y, z).
  • The LCM of two or more prime numbers is their product.

Steps to find lcm of 16 and 7 by Listing Method

Example: Find lcm of 16 and 7 by Listing Method

  • Multiples of 16: 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112
  • Multiples of 7: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112

Hence, LCM of 16 and 7 is 112.

Steps to find LCM of 16 and 7 by Common Division Method

Example: Find lcm of 16 and 7 by Common Division Method

2 16 7
2 8 7
2 4 7
2 2 7
7 1 7
1 1

Hence, LCM of 16 and 7 is 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 7 = 112.

Steps to find lcm of 16 and 7 by Formula

Example: Find lcm of 16 and 7 by Formula

  • GCF of 16 and 7 = 1
  • LCM of 16 and 7 = (16 x 7) / 1
  • => 112 / 1

Hence, LCM of 16 and 7 is 112.

Examples

Franky and Joy are running on a circular track. They start at the same time. They take 16 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 16 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 16 and 7.
So, LCM of 16 and 7 is 112.

A shopkeeper sells candies in packet of 16 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 16 and 7.
So, LCM of 16 and 7 is 112.

Both the cricket team and the rugby team had games, today. The cricket team plays every 16 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 16 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 16 and 7.
So, LCM of 16 and 7 is 112.

Sammy's company prints 16 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 16 and 7.
So, LCM of 16 and 7 is 112.

Ariel exercises every 16 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 16 and 7 is 112.

What is the relation between LCM and GCF( Greatest Common Factor)?

Greatest common factors or gcf of 16 and 7 is GCF(16, 7) * LCM(16, 7) = (16 x 7) / GCF(16, 7) = 112.

Find the least number which is exactly divisible by 16 and 7.

Least number which is exactly divisible by 16 and 7 is 112.