Definition of LCM

LCM stands for least common multiple. In mathematics, LCM of two numbers 45 and 120, is defined as the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both. It is written as LCM(45, 120).

Properties of LCM

  • The LCM of two or more prime numbers is exactly equal to their product.
  • LCM is associative which means LCM(45, 120) = LCM(120, 45).
  • 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 given numbers is always greater than the given numbers numbers. Eg- LCM of 45 and 120 is 360, where 360 is greater than 45 and 120.

Steps to find lcm of 45 and 120 by Listing Method

Example: Find lcm of 45 and 120 by Listing Method

  • Multiples of 45: 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315, 360, 405, 450, 495, 540, 585, 630, 675, 720, 765, 810, 855, 900, 945, 990, 1035, 1080, 1125, 1170, 1215, 1260, 1305, 1350, 1395, 1440, 1485, 1530, 1575, 1620, 1665, 1710, 1755, 1800, 1845, 1890, 1935, 1980, 2025, 2070, 2115, 2160, 2205, 2250, 2295, 2340, 2385, 2430, 2475, 2520, 2565, 2610, 2655, 2700, 2745, 2790, 2835, 2880, 2925, 2970, 3015, 3060, 3105, 3150, 3195, 3240, 3285, 3330, 3375, 3420, 3465, 3510, 3555, 3600, 3645, 3690, 3735, 3780, 3825, 3870, 3915, 3960, 4005, 4050, 4095, 4140, 4185, 4230, 4275, 4320, 4365, 4410, 4455, 4500, 4545, 4590, 4635, 4680, 4725, 4770, 4815, 4860, 4905, 4950, 4995, 5040, 5085, 5130, 5175, 5220, 5265, 5310, 5355, 5400
  • Multiples of 120: 120, 240, 360, 480, 600, 720, 840, 960, 1080, 1200, 1320, 1440, 1560, 1680, 1800, 1920, 2040, 2160, 2280, 2400, 2520, 2640, 2760, 2880, 3000, 3120, 3240, 3360, 3480, 3600, 3720, 3840, 3960, 4080, 4200, 4320, 4440, 4560, 4680, 4800, 4920, 5040, 5160, 5280, 5400

Hence, LCM of 45 and 120 is 360.

Steps to find LCM of 45 and 120 by Common Division Method

Example: Find lcm of 45 and 120 by Common Division Method

2 45 120
2 45 60
2 45 30
3 45 15
3 15 5
5 5 5
1 1

Hence, LCM of 45 and 120 is 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5 = 360.

Steps to find lcm of 45 and 120 by Formula

Example: Find lcm of 45 and 120 by Formula

  • GCF of 45 and 120 = 15
  • LCM of 45 and 120 = (45 x 120) / 15
  • => 5400 / 15

Hence, LCM of 45 and 120 is 360.

Examples

Steve spends 45 dollars every day while George spends 120 dollars every day. What is the least number of days it will take each person to spend the same amount of money?

To find the least number of days that would be taken to be able to spend the same amount of dollars we need to find the LCM of 45 and 120.
So, LCM of 45 and 120 is 360.

Boxes that are 45 inches tall are being pilled next to boxes that are 120 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 45 and 120.
So, LCM of 45 and 120 is 360.

Sammy's company prints 45 textbooks at a time. Daniel's company prints textbooks in sets of 120 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 45 and 120.
So, LCM of 45 and 120 is 360.

Ram and Deepika are running on a circular track. They start at the same time. They take 45 and 120 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 45 and 120 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 45 and 120.
So, LCM of 45 and 120 is 360.

Find the LCM of 45 and 120 using GCF method.

Greatest common factor or gcf of 45 and 120 is GCF(45, 120) x LCM(45, 120) = (45 x 120) / GCF(45, 120) = 360.

Find the least common multiple of 45 and 120.

Least common multiple of 45 and 120 is 360.

Find the least number which is exactly divisible by 45 and 120.

Least number which is exactly divisible by 45 and 120 is 360.