The least common multiple (LCM) of a group of numbers is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of all of the numbers in the group.

Multiples of \(8\): 

\(8,~ 16,~ \class{timed add3-hl2}{24},~ 32,~ 40,~ \class{timed add3-hl2 remove5-hl2}{48},~ 56,~ 64,~ \class{timed add3-hl2 remove5-hl2}{72}, \ldots\)

Multiples of \(12\):

\(12, ~\class{timed add3-hl2}{24}, ~36, ~\class{timed add3-hl2 remove5-hl2}{48},~ 60,~ \class{timed add3-hl2 remove5-hl2}{72}, \ldots\)

Comparing the lists:

\(\operatorname{LCM}(8,12)=\class{hl2}{24}\)

For other pairs of numbers, this process can be time consuming.

• For a pair of numbers, use prime factorization to identify the
  • greatest common factor (GCF) and
  • least common multiple (LCM).