LCM of 3 and 12

The LCM of 3 and 12 is the smallest positive integer, a multiple of both numbers. By finding the LCM, we can simplify the arithmetic operations with fractions to equate the denominators.

There are various methods to find the LCM, Listing method, prime factorization method and division method are explained below;

The LCM of 2 and 5 can be calculated using the following steps:

Steps:

1. Write down the multiples of each number

  — Multiples of 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, …

  — Multiples of 12 = 12, 24, 36, …

2. Ascertain the smallest multiple from the listed multiples:

  — The smallest common multiple is 12.

Thus, LCM(3, 12) = 12

The prime factors of each number are written, and then the highest power of the prime factors is multiplied to get the LCM.

Steps:

1. Find the prime factors of the numbers:

  — Prime factorization of 3 = 3

  — Prime factorization of 12 = 2 × 2 × 3

2. Take the highest powers of each prime factor:

  — Highest power of 2 = 2²

  — Highest power of 3 = 3¹

3.  Multiply the highest powers to get the LCM:

  —LCM(3, 12) = 2² × 3 = 12.

This method involves dividing both numbers by their common prime factors and multiplying the divisors to find the LCM.

Steps:

- Write the numbers; 3, 12 and divide by common prime factors and multiply the divisors.

  — 2 × 2 × 3 = 12

Thus, LCM(3, 12) = 12

• Multiple: A number and any integer multiplied. 
• Prime Factor: A natural number (other than 1) that has factors that are one and itself.
• Prime Factorization: The process of breaking down a number into its prime factors is called Prime Factorization. 
• Co-prime numbers: When the only positive integer that is a divisor of them both is 1, a number is co-prime. 
• Relatively Prime Numbers: Numbers that have no common factors other than 1.
• Fraction: A representation of a part of a whole.