What does LCM mean in mathematics?

The least common multiple or LCM of two numbers 28 and 42 is defined as the smallest positive integer which is divisible by both of them. It is represented by LCM(28, 42).

Properties of LCM

  • The LCM of two given numbers is never less than any of those numbers. Eg- LCM of 28 and 42 is 84, where 28 and 42 are less than 84.
  • LCM is associative which means LCM(28, 42) = LCM(42, 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 42 by Listing Method

Example: Find lcm of 28 and 42 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
  • Multiples of 42: 42, 84, 126, 168, 210, 252, 294, 336, 378, 420, 462, 504, 546, 588, 630, 672, 714, 756, 798, 840, 882, 924, 966, 1008, 1050, 1092, 1134, 1176

Hence, LCM of 28 and 42 is 84.

Steps to find LCM of 28 and 42 by Common Division Method

Example: Find lcm of 28 and 42 by Common Division Method

2 28 42
2 14 21
3 7 21
7 7 7
1 1

Hence, LCM of 28 and 42 is 2 x 2 x 3 x 7 = 84.

Steps to find lcm of 28 and 42 by Formula

Example: Find lcm of 28 and 42 by Formula

  • GCF of 28 and 42 = 14
  • LCM of 28 and 42 = (28 x 42) / 14
  • => 1176 / 14

Hence, LCM of 28 and 42 is 84.

Examples

Ram and Deepika are running on a circular track. They start at the same time. They take 28 and 42 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 42 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 42.
So, LCM of 28 and 42 is 84.

A shopkeeper sells candies in packet of 28 and chocolates in packet of 42. 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 42.
So, LCM of 28 and 42 is 84.

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

Greatest common factors or gcf of 28 and 42 is GCF(28, 42) * LCM(28, 42) = (28 x 42) / GCF(28, 42) = 84.

Sammy's company prints 28 textbooks at a time. Daniel's company prints textbooks in sets of 42 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 42.
So, LCM of 28 and 42 is 84.

Mary exercises every 28 days and Nikki every 42 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 42 is 84.

Find the least common multiple of 28 and 42.

Least common multiple of 28 and 42 is 84.

Find the least number which is exactly divisible by 28 and 42.

Least number which is exactly divisible by 28 and 42 is 84.