lowest common multiple

This is the name given to the lowest number into which two or more other numbers will divide.

For example:

• the multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, …

• the multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, …

• the multiples of 6 are 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, …

If we look at these multiples, we can see that the common multiples of 3, 4 and 6 are 12, 24,
36.

Therefore, 12 is the lowest common multiple of 3, 4 and 6.

The acronym LCM is sometimes used.