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Last updated on May 26th, 2025

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LCM Of 32 And 40

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The Least Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that when we divide by two or more numbers at a time, all three or more numbers divide into it. LCM also helps in math problems and everyday things like event planning or buying supplies. We will find the LCM of 32 and 40 together and what that really means.

LCM Of 32 And 40 for Vietnamese Students
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What Is The LCM Of 32 And 40?

The LCM or the least common multiple of 2 numbers is the smallest number that appears as a multiple of both numbers. In case of 32 and 40, The LCM is 160. But how did we get to this answer? There are different ways to obtain a LCM of 2 or more numbers. Let us take a look at those methods.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

How To Find The LCM Of 32 And 40

Remember that we previously said there are plenty of ways to calculate the LCM of two numbers or more. Then some of those methods make it extremely easy for us to find the LCM of any two numbers. Those methods are: 

 

 

  • Listing of Multiples

 

  • Prime Factorization

 

  • Division Method

 

Finally, now we will learn how each of these methods can help us to calculate LCM of given numbers.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Finding LCM Of 32 And 40 By Listing Of Multiples

This method will help us find the LCM of the numbers by listing the multiples of the given numbers. Let us take a step by step look at this method.


The first step is to list all the multiples of the given numbers.


Multiples Of 32: 32, 64, 96, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 288 and 320.


Multiples Of 40: 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, 280, 320, 360, 400.


The second step is to find the smallest common multiples in both the numbers. In this case, that number is 160 as highlighted above.


By this way we will be able to tell the LCM of given numbers.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Finding The LCM By Prime Factorization

Let us break down the process of prime factorization into steps and make it easy for children to understand.
The first step is to break down the given numbers into its primal form. The primal form of the number is:


32= 2×2×2×2×2


40= 2×2×2×5


As you can see, 2 appears as a prime factor in both numbers. So instead of considering 2 eight times, we will only consider it five times. So the final equation will look like (2×2×2×2×2×5).


So after the multiplication, we will be getting the LCM as 160.


As you can see, using this method can be easier for larger numbers compared to the previous method. 
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Finding The LCM By Division Method

The method to calculate the LCM is really simple. We’ll break these given numbers apart till it comes down to one, by dividing it by the prime factors. The product of the divisors that will come is the LCM of the given numbers.


Let us understand it step by step:


The first thing is to find the number common in both the numbers. Here it is 2. In that case, we divide both the numbers by 2. It will reduce the values of the numbers to 16 and 20.


Then we will divide 20 and 16 by 2. This will give us 10 and 8. We will divide this until the last row is just 1. 


As the numbers in the last row now are 1, we will take the numbers on the left side and find the product of those numbers. The final equation will look like this: (2×2×2×2×2×5).


These numbers multiplied give 160. On this basis, therefore, the LCM of the 32 and 40 becomes 160.
 

Max Pointing Out Common Math Mistakes

Common Mistakes That Are Made And How To Avoid Them For LCM Of 32 And 40

Let us look at some of the common mistakes that can happen while solving a given assignment regarding LCM.
 

Mistake 1

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Missing a prime factor,
 

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Children sometimes may forget to write all the prime factors for a given number. So, at the start we have to write all the prime factors for the given numbers which won’t cause any problems later on.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Missing a prime factor,

Children sometimes may forget to write all the prime factors for a given number. So, at the start we have to write all the prime factors for the given numbers which won’t cause any problems later on.
 

Max from BrightChamps Saying "Hey"

LCM Of 32 And 40 Examples

Ray, the Character from BrightChamps Explaining Math Concepts
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 1

Sarah buys candies in packs of 32, and Jake in packs of 40. When will they have the same number?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Sarah and Jake will both have 160 candies when they buy packs. This is the smallest number they both can share equally.

Explanation

Sarah buys packs of 32 candies, and Jake buys packs of 40. The first time they both have the same amount is when they each have 160 candies, which is the least number they both reach.
 

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 2

Two buses leave a station. One every 32 minutes and the other every 40 minutes. When will they leave together again?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

The buses will leave together again in 160 minutes.

Explanation

To find when they leave together, we find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 32 and 40, which is 160 minutes.
 

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 3

A gardener waters plants every 32 days and fertilizes every 40 days. When will both tasks coincide?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Both tasks will happen together every 160 days.
 

Explanation

The gardener waters plants every 32 days and fertilizes every 40 days. The first time both happened on the same day after 160 days.

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 4

Tom runs every 32 minutes, while Tim runs every 40 minutes. When will they run together?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Tom and Tim will run together again in 160 minutes.

Explanation

To find when they run together, we find the least common multiple (LCM) of 32 and 40, which is 160 minutes.
 

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 5

A train leaves every 32 minutes, and another every 40. How long until they leave at the same time again?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

The trains will leave together again in 160 minutes.
 

Explanation

To find when the trains leave together, we find the least common multiple (LCM) of 32 and 40, which is 160 minutes

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Ray Thinking Deeply About Math Problems

FAQs For LCM Of 32 And 40

1.What is the LCM of 32 and 40?

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2.What is the GCF of 32 and 48?

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3.What is the LCM and GCF of 5,10 and 40?

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4.How do you find the prime factors of 32?

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5.How can children in Vietnam use numbers in everyday life to understand LCM Of 32 And 40?

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6.What are some fun ways kids in Vietnam can practice LCM Of 32 And 40 with numbers?

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7.What role do numbers and LCM Of 32 And 40 play in helping children in Vietnam develop problem-solving skills?

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8.How can families in Vietnam create number-rich environments to improve LCM Of 32 And 40 skills?

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Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Important Glossaries for LCM of [Topic]

  • LCM (The Least Common Multiple): The smallest number that can be evenly divided by two or more numbers.

 

  • Prime Factorization: Breaking a number down into its basic building blocks, called prime numbers, that multiply together to get the original number.

 

  • Prime Number: A number greater than 1 that can only be divided evenly by 1 and itself. Examples include 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11.

 

  • Factors: Numbers that you can multiply together to get another number. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6 because 2 × 3 = 6.
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

About BrightChamps in Vietnam

At BrightChamps, numbers mean more than just digits—they open up a world of opportunities! Our mission is to help children throughout Vietnam build important math skills, focusing on the LCM Of 32 And 40 with special attention to understanding the LCM—in a way that’s lively, fun, and easy to learn. Whether your child is calculating the speed of a roller coaster at Suoi Tien Theme Park, tracking scores at a local football game, or managing allowance for new gadgets, mastering numbers gives them the confidence for daily life. Our interactive lessons make learning straightforward and enjoyable. Because kids in Vietnam learn differently, we adapt our teaching to suit every child’s style. From the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay, BrightChamps makes math come alive, making the LCM exciting for all learners!
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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

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.

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Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

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