What is the LCM of 12 and 18

What is the LCM of 12 and 18?

LCM stands for lowest common multiple. The lowest number among all the multiple common sets of 12 & 18 is the LCM of 12 & 18. (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, etc.) and (18, 36, 54, 72, etc.) are the first few multiples of 12 & 18, respectively. There are three typical ways for calculating the LCM of 12 and 18: naming multiples, prime factorization, and division.

The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of 12 and 18 is 36.

Explanation: The smallest positive number, 36, is the lowest common multiple of two non-zero integers, 12 and 18, because it is divisible by 12 & 18 without any remainder.

Let’s have a look at some ways of calculating the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 12 & 18.

• Division Method
• Prime Factorization Method and
• By Listing Multiples

Division Method: We shall divide the numbers (12, 18) by their prime factors to determine the lowest common multiple of 12 & 18 using the division method (preferably common). The LCM of 12 & 18 is obtained by multiplying these divisors is 36.

Prime Factorisation Method: 12 & 18 have prime factorizations of (2, 2, 3) and (2, 3, 3) respectively. The LCMs of 12 & 18 can be found by multiplying prime factors to their highest power, i.e. 2*2*3*3 = 36.

As a result of prime factorization, the lowest common multiple of 12 & 18 is 36.

Listing Multiples Method: By listing the common multiples, the lowest common multiple of 12 & 18 may be calculated, that is 36.