What's the LCM of 6 and 8?

2 Answers
May 28, 2016

24

Explanation:

Method. Find least positive integers L and M such that 6L = 8M.

The common value is LCM.

L = 4 and M = 3 and the LCM = 24.

CMs are N X LCM, N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ... N = 1 gives LCM.

May 28, 2016

LCM (6,8) = 3 times 2 times 2 times 2=24

Explanation:

Step one prime factor.
6=2 times 3
8=2 times 2 times 2

In order for a number, X, to be a multiple of 6 in must "contain" 6, i.e. be of the form X= n times 2 times 3 , where n is a natural number (1,2,3, ...) and similarly for a number, Y, to be a multiple of 8 it must be in the form Y=m times 2 times 2 times 2 where m is a natural number. A common multiple is both of these Z= p times 3 times 2 times 2 times 2. The LCM has p=1.

LCM (6,8) = 3 times 2 times 2 times 2=24