Last updated on May 26th, 2025
LCM is a common multiple, the smallest value between the numbers 3 and 8. 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 3 and 8 is 24. We can find the LCM using the Listing multiples method, the prime factorization method and the long division method. These are explained below.
Write down the multiples of the numbers. Don’t stop too early.
Multiples of 3 = 3,6,9,12,18,21,24…
Multiples of 8 = 8, 16,24,…
Find the smallest number common between the written multiples of 3 and 8
The smallest common multiple is 24.
Thus, LCM(3, 8) = 24.
factorize the numbers into its prime factors
3 = 3×1
8 = 2×2×2
find the highest powers of the factors of 3 and 8
Multiply the highest powers
LCM(3,8) = 24
Write the numbers 3,8 in a row
Divide them by their common prime factors, if there is one
Carry forward the numbers that are left undivided by the previously chosen factor
Continue dividing until the remainder is ‘1’
Multiply the divisors to find the LCM
LCM(3, 8) = 24.
Listed here are a few mistakes that
Use LCM(a,b) = a×b/HCF(a,b) to find the LCM of 3 and 8.
The HCF of 3 and 8 is 1, they share no common factors.
Applying the formula;
LCM(a,b) = a×b/HCF(a,b)
LCM(3,8) = 3×8/1
LCM = 24
Using the above formula and the method, we find the LCM of any two numbers
Goods are received by a shipping company every 3 and 8 months. If the shipments have been received today, when will they next arrive at the same day?
The LCM of 3 and 8 is 24.
The goods will be received next in 24 months at the same time. The LCM of 3 and 8 is 24, which is the smallest common time interval for the given digits.
LCM of (3,x) is 6. Find x.
The LCM of x and 3 is 6, which means that the possible value of x is a divisor of 6. The divisors of 6 are 1,2,3,6.
Now we check for each of the factors;
LCM (3,1) = 3
LCM (3,2) =6
LCM (3,3) = 3
LCM (3,6) = 6
The value of x can be either 2 or 6 as the LCM of 6 can be obtained using both.
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.