What is the least common multiple of 4 and 12?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the least common multiple (LCM) of the numbers 4 and 12. To find the LCM, we will identify the multiples of both numbers and determine the smallest multiple they share.
Answer
12
Answer for screen readers
The least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 12 is 12
Steps to Solve
- List multiples of each number
List the first few multiples of each number.
- Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, ...
- Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, ...
- Identify common multiples
Look for common multiples in the lists.
- Common multiples: 12, 24, ...
- Find the smallest common multiple
Select the smallest common multiple from the list.
- The smallest common multiple is 12
The least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 12 is 12
More Information
The LCM of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both. It's useful for adding, subtracting, or comparing fractions with different denominators.
Tips
A common mistake is forgetting to list enough multiples to find the common ones. Always ensure you list a few multiples for better accuracy.
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