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 36 and 288.

Properties of LCM

  • The LCM of two given numbers is never less than any of those numbers. Eg- LCM of 36 and 288 is 288, where 36 and 288 are less than 288.
  • LCM is associative which means LCM(36, 288) = LCM(288, 36).
  • 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 36 and 288 by Listing Method

Example: Find lcm of 36 and 288 by Listing Method

  • Multiples of 36: 36, 72, 108, 144, 180, 216, 252, 288, 324, 360, 396, 432, 468, 504, 540, 576, 612, 648, 684, 720, 756, 792, 828, 864, 900, 936, 972, 1008, 1044, 1080, 1116, 1152, 1188, 1224, 1260, 1296, 1332, 1368, 1404, 1440, 1476, 1512, 1548, 1584, 1620, 1656, 1692, 1728, 1764, 1800, 1836, 1872, 1908, 1944, 1980, 2016, 2052, 2088, 2124, 2160, 2196, 2232, 2268, 2304, 2340, 2376, 2412, 2448, 2484, 2520, 2556, 2592, 2628, 2664, 2700, 2736, 2772, 2808, 2844, 2880, 2916, 2952, 2988, 3024, 3060, 3096, 3132, 3168, 3204, 3240, 3276, 3312, 3348, 3384, 3420, 3456, 3492, 3528, 3564, 3600, 3636, 3672, 3708, 3744, 3780, 3816, 3852, 3888, 3924, 3960, 3996, 4032, 4068, 4104, 4140, 4176, 4212, 4248, 4284, 4320, 4356, 4392, 4428, 4464, 4500, 4536, 4572, 4608, 4644, 4680, 4716, 4752, 4788, 4824, 4860, 4896, 4932, 4968, 5004, 5040, 5076, 5112, 5148, 5184, 5220, 5256, 5292, 5328, 5364, 5400, 5436, 5472, 5508, 5544, 5580, 5616, 5652, 5688, 5724, 5760, 5796, 5832, 5868, 5904, 5940, 5976, 6012, 6048, 6084, 6120, 6156, 6192, 6228, 6264, 6300, 6336, 6372, 6408, 6444, 6480, 6516, 6552, 6588, 6624, 6660, 6696, 6732, 6768, 6804, 6840, 6876, 6912, 6948, 6984, 7020, 7056, 7092, 7128, 7164, 7200, 7236, 7272, 7308, 7344, 7380, 7416, 7452, 7488, 7524, 7560, 7596, 7632, 7668, 7704, 7740, 7776, 7812, 7848, 7884, 7920, 7956, 7992, 8028, 8064, 8100, 8136, 8172, 8208, 8244, 8280, 8316, 8352, 8388, 8424, 8460, 8496, 8532, 8568, 8604, 8640, 8676, 8712, 8748, 8784, 8820, 8856, 8892, 8928, 8964, 9000, 9036, 9072, 9108, 9144, 9180, 9216, 9252, 9288, 9324, 9360, 9396, 9432, 9468, 9504, 9540, 9576, 9612, 9648, 9684, 9720, 9756, 9792, 9828, 9864, 9900, 9936, 9972, 10008, 10044, 10080, 10116, 10152, 10188, 10224, 10260, 10296, 10332, 10368
  • Multiples of 288: 288, 576, 864, 1152, 1440, 1728, 2016, 2304, 2592, 2880, 3168, 3456, 3744, 4032, 4320, 4608, 4896, 5184, 5472, 5760, 6048, 6336, 6624, 6912, 7200, 7488, 7776, 8064, 8352, 8640, 8928, 9216, 9504, 9792, 10080, 10368

Hence, LCM of 36 and 288 is 288.

Steps to find LCM of 36 and 288 by Common Division Method

Example: Find lcm of 36 and 288 by Common Division Method

2 36 288
2 18 144
2 9 72
2 9 36
2 9 18
3 9 9
3 3 3
1 1

Hence, LCM of 36 and 288 is 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 = 288.

Steps to find lcm of 36 and 288 by Formula

Example: Find lcm of 36 and 288 by Formula

  • GCF of 36 and 288 = 36
  • LCM of 36 and 288 = (36 x 288) / 36
  • => 10368 / 36

Hence, LCM of 36 and 288 is 288.

Examples

Ram and Deepika are running on a circular track. They start at the same time. They take 36 and 288 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 36 and 288 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 36 and 288.
So, LCM of 36 and 288 is 288.

A shopkeeper sells candies in packet of 36 and chocolates in packet of 288. 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 36 and 288.
So, LCM of 36 and 288 is 288.

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

Greatest common factors or gcf of 36 and 288 is GCF(36, 288) * LCM(36, 288) = (36 x 288) / GCF(36, 288) = 288.

Sammy's company prints 36 textbooks at a time. Daniel's company prints textbooks in sets of 288 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 36 and 288.
So, LCM of 36 and 288 is 288.

Mary exercises every 36 days and Nikki every 288 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 36 and 288 is 288.

Find the least common multiple of 36 and 288.

Least common multiple of 36 and 288 is 288.

Find the least number which is exactly divisible by 36 and 288.

Least number which is exactly divisible by 36 and 288 is 288.