Last updated on May 26th, 2025
LCM is a common multiple, the smallest value between the numbers 5 and 20. Did you know? We apply LCM unknowingly in everyday situations like setting alarms and to synchronize traffic lights and when making music.
The LCM of 5 and 20 is 20. We can find the LCM using the Listing multiples method, the prime factorization method and the long division method. These are explained below.
Step 1: Write down the multiples of the numbers. Don’t stop too early.
Multiples of 5 = 5,10,15,20,25,…
Multiples of 20 = 20,40,60,80…
Step 2: Find the smallest number common between the written multiples of 5 and 20
The smallest common multiple is 20
Thus, LCM(5,20) = 20
Step 1: factorize the numbers into its prime factors
5 = 5
20 = 2×2×5
Step 2: find the highest powers of the factors of 5 and 20
Step 3: Multiply the highest powers
LCM(5,20) = 20
Listed here are a few mistakes that one can commit when trying to find the LCM of the numbers 5 and 20. Try to avoid them.
Callie and Dan meet every 5 days and 20 days, respectively. They meet today, September 1, how many days will it be before they meet again?
Find the LCM of 5 and 20: LCM (5,20) = 20.
They will meet again in 20 days. The LCM of 5 and 20 is the smallest common multiple of the digits.
Ascertain the smallest positive integer solution x to the equation given below, using the LCM of 5 and 20. x=0 (mod 5) and x=0 (mod 20)
Find the prime factors of the numbers:
Prime factorization of 5 = 2
Prime factorization of 20 = 2×2×5
— Take the highest power of each prime factor:
— 2,2,5
— Multiply the ascertained factors to get the LCM:
LCM (5,12) = 2×2×5 = 20
x = 20
The question asks to find the smallest x that is divisible by both 5 and 20, which essentially is just finding the least common multiple(LCM) of 5 and 20.
If an integer x is divisible by 5 and 20, express x as a multiple of LCM of 5 and 20. Also, find x.
x is divisible by both 5 and 20, so is must be a multiple of the LCM of the numbers.
LCM that was previously calculated is 20.
Therefore, x = 20.n, for some integer n.
The minimum value of x is ascertained when n=1, so the minimum value of x = 20.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.