What does LCM mean in mathematics?

The least common multiple or LCM of two numbers 28 and 196 is defined as the smallest positive integer which is divisible by both of them. It is represented by LCM(28, 196).

Properties of LCM

  • The LCM of two given numbers is never less than any of those numbers. Eg- LCM of 28 and 196 is 196, where 28 and 196 are less than 196.
  • LCM is associative which means LCM(28, 196) = LCM(196, 28).
  • 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 28 and 196 by Listing Method

Example: Find lcm of 28 and 196 by Listing Method

  • Multiples of 28: 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, 168, 196, 224, 252, 280, 308, 336, 364, 392, 420, 448, 476, 504, 532, 560, 588, 616, 644, 672, 700, 728, 756, 784, 812, 840, 868, 896, 924, 952, 980, 1008, 1036, 1064, 1092, 1120, 1148, 1176, 1204, 1232, 1260, 1288, 1316, 1344, 1372, 1400, 1428, 1456, 1484, 1512, 1540, 1568, 1596, 1624, 1652, 1680, 1708, 1736, 1764, 1792, 1820, 1848, 1876, 1904, 1932, 1960, 1988, 2016, 2044, 2072, 2100, 2128, 2156, 2184, 2212, 2240, 2268, 2296, 2324, 2352, 2380, 2408, 2436, 2464, 2492, 2520, 2548, 2576, 2604, 2632, 2660, 2688, 2716, 2744, 2772, 2800, 2828, 2856, 2884, 2912, 2940, 2968, 2996, 3024, 3052, 3080, 3108, 3136, 3164, 3192, 3220, 3248, 3276, 3304, 3332, 3360, 3388, 3416, 3444, 3472, 3500, 3528, 3556, 3584, 3612, 3640, 3668, 3696, 3724, 3752, 3780, 3808, 3836, 3864, 3892, 3920, 3948, 3976, 4004, 4032, 4060, 4088, 4116, 4144, 4172, 4200, 4228, 4256, 4284, 4312, 4340, 4368, 4396, 4424, 4452, 4480, 4508, 4536, 4564, 4592, 4620, 4648, 4676, 4704, 4732, 4760, 4788, 4816, 4844, 4872, 4900, 4928, 4956, 4984, 5012, 5040, 5068, 5096, 5124, 5152, 5180, 5208, 5236, 5264, 5292, 5320, 5348, 5376, 5404, 5432, 5460, 5488
  • Multiples of 196: 196, 392, 588, 784, 980, 1176, 1372, 1568, 1764, 1960, 2156, 2352, 2548, 2744, 2940, 3136, 3332, 3528, 3724, 3920, 4116, 4312, 4508, 4704, 4900, 5096, 5292, 5488

Hence, LCM of 28 and 196 is 196.

Steps to find LCM of 28 and 196 by Common Division Method

Example: Find lcm of 28 and 196 by Common Division Method

2 28 196
2 14 98
7 7 49
7 1 7
1 1

Hence, LCM of 28 and 196 is 2 x 2 x 7 x 7 = 196.

Steps to find lcm of 28 and 196 by Formula

Example: Find lcm of 28 and 196 by Formula

  • GCF of 28 and 196 = 28
  • LCM of 28 and 196 = (28 x 196) / 28
  • => 5488 / 28

Hence, LCM of 28 and 196 is 196.

Examples

Ram and Deepika are running on a circular track. They start at the same time. They take 28 and 196 minutes respectively to go round once. Find at what time they will run together?

Ram and Deepika are running on a circular track. They take 28 and 196 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 28 and 196.
So, LCM of 28 and 196 is 196.

A shopkeeper sells candies in packet of 28 and chocolates in packet of 196. 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 28 and 196.
So, LCM of 28 and 196 is 196.

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

Greatest common factors or gcf of 28 and 196 is GCF(28, 196) * LCM(28, 196) = (28 x 196) / GCF(28, 196) = 196.

Sammy's company prints 28 textbooks at a time. Daniel's company prints textbooks in sets of 196 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 28 and 196.
So, LCM of 28 and 196 is 196.

Mary exercises every 28 days and Nikki every 196 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 28 and 196 is 196.

Find the least common multiple of 28 and 196.

Least common multiple of 28 and 196 is 196.

Find the least number which is exactly divisible by 28 and 196.

Least number which is exactly divisible by 28 and 196 is 196.