Least Common Multiple (LCM)
Learn how to find the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers!
1. What is a Multiple?
Definition: A multiple is a number you get when you multiply a given number by a natural number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5...).
Key Facts About Multiples:
- Every number has infinitely many multiples
- The smallest multiple of any number is the number itself
- Multiples go on forever
Example: Multiples of 6
6 × 1 = 6, 6 × 2 = 12, 6 × 3 = 18, 6 × 4 = 24, 6 × 5 = 30, 6 × 6 = 36...
Interactive visualization — available in the full lesson
2. Finding Multiples
How to Find Multiples:
Simply multiply the number by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on!
| Number | First 8 Multiples |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32... |
| 5 | 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40... |
| 7 | 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56... |
Multiples of 4 - Step by Step
4×1=4
4×2=8
4×3=12
4×4=16
4×5=20
4×6=24
4×7=28
4×8=32