A day full of math games & activities. Find one near you.
A day full of math games & activities. Find one near you.
A day full of math games & activities. Find one near you.
A day full of math games & activities. Find one near you.
LearnPracticeDownload

LCM of 2, 3, and 4

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is the smallest number among all common multiples of 2, 3, and 4. The first few multiples of 2, 3, and 4 are (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 . . .), (3, 6, 9, 12, 15 . . .), and (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 . . .) respectively. There are 3 commonly used methods to find LCM of 2, 3, 4 - by listing multiples, by prime factorization, and by division method.

1. LCM of 2, 3, and 4
2. List of Methods
3. Solved Examples
4. FAQs

What is the LCM of 2, 3, and 4?

Answer: LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is 12.

LCM of 2, 3, and 4

Explanation:

The LCM of three non-zero integers, a(2), b(3), and c(4), is the smallest positive integer m(12) that is divisible by a(2), b(3), and c(4) without any remainder.

Methods to Find LCM of 2, 3, and 4

The methods to find the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 are explained below.

  • By Prime Factorization Method
  • By Listing Multiples
  • By Division Method

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by Prime Factorization

Prime factorization of 2, 3, and 4 is (2) = 21, (3) = 31, and (2 × 2) = 22 respectively. LCM of 2, 3, and 4 can be obtained by multiplying prime factors raised to their respective highest power, i.e. 22 × 31 = 12.
Hence, the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by prime factorization is 12.

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by Listing Multiples

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by Listing Multiples Method

To calculate the LCM of 2, 3, 4 by listing out the common multiples, we can follow the given below steps:

  • Step 1: List a few multiples of 2 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 . . .), 3 (3, 6, 9, 12, 15 . . .), and 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 . . .).
  • Step 2: The common multiples from the multiples of 2, 3, and 4 are 12, 24, . . .
  • Step 3: The smallest common multiple of 2, 3, and 4 is 12.

∴ The least common multiple of 2, 3, and 4 = 12.

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by Division Method

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by Division Method

To calculate the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 by the division method, we will divide the numbers(2, 3, 4) by their prime factors (preferably common). The product of these divisors gives the LCM of 2, 3, and 4.

  • Step 1: Find the smallest prime number that is a factor of at least one of the numbers, 2, 3, and 4. Write this prime number(2) on the left of the given numbers(2, 3, and 4), separated as per the ladder arrangement.
  • Step 2: If any of the given numbers (2, 3, 4) is a multiple of 2, divide it by 2 and write the quotient below it. Bring down any number that is not divisible by the prime number.
  • Step 3: Continue the steps until only 1s are left in the last row.

The LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is the product of all prime numbers on the left, i.e. LCM(2, 3, 4) by division method = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12.

☛ Also Check:

LCM of 2, 3, and 4 Examples

  1. Example 1: Verify the relationship between the GCD and LCM of 2, 3, and 4.

    Solution:

    The relation between GCD and LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is given as,
    LCM(2, 3, 4) = [(2 × 3 × 4) × GCD(2, 3, 4)]/[GCD(2, 3) × GCD(3, 4) × GCD(2, 4)]
    ⇒ Prime factorization of 2, 3 and 4:

    • 2 = 21
    • 3 = 31
    • 4 = 22

    ∴ GCD of (2, 3), (3, 4), (2, 4) and (2, 3, 4) = 1, 1, 2 and 1 respectively.
    Now, LHS = LCM(2, 3, 4) = 12.
    And, RHS = [(2 × 3 × 4) × GCD(2, 3, 4)]/[GCD(2, 3) × GCD(3, 4) × GCD(2, 4)] = [(24) × 1]/[1 × 1 × 2] = 12
    LHS = RHS = 12.
    Hence verified.

  2. Example 2: Calculate the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 using the GCD of the given numbers.

    Solution:

    Prime factorization of 2, 3, 4:

    • 2 = 21
    • 3 = 31
    • 4 = 22

    Therefore, GCD(2, 3) = 1, GCD(3, 4) = 1, GCD(2, 4) = 2, GCD(2, 3, 4) = 1
    We know,
    LCM(2, 3, 4) = [(2 × 3 × 4) × GCD(2, 3, 4)]/[GCD(2, 3) × GCD(3, 4) × GCD(2, 4)]
    LCM(2, 3, 4) = (24 × 1)/(1 × 1 × 2) = 12
    ⇒LCM(2, 3, 4) = 12

  3. Example 3: Find the smallest number that is divisible by 2, 3, 4 exactly.

    Solution:

    The smallest number that is divisible by 2, 3, and 4 exactly is their LCM.
    ⇒ Multiples of 2, 3, and 4:

    • Multiples of 2 = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, . . . .
    • Multiples of 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, . . . .
    • Multiples of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, . . . .

    Therefore, the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is 12.

Show Solution >

go to slidego to slidego to slide

 

Ready to see the world through math’s eyes?
Math is at the core of everything we do. Enjoy solving real-world math problems in live classes and become an expert at everything. 

Book a Free Trial Class

FAQs on LCM of 2, 3, and 4

What is the LCM of 2, 3, and 4?

The LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is 12. To find the LCM (least common multiple) of 2, 3, and 4, we need to find the multiples of 2, 3, and 4 (multiples of 2 = 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 . . . .; multiples of 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12 . . . .; multiples of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16 . . . .) and choose the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by 2, 3, and 4, i.e., 12.

What are the Methods to Find LCM of 2, 3, 4?

The commonly used methods to find the LCM of 2, 3, 4 are:

  • Prime Factorization Method
  • Division Method
  • Listing Multiples

What is the Relation Between GCF and LCM of 2, 3, 4?

The following equation can be used to express the relation between GCF and LCM of 2, 3, 4, i.e. LCM(2, 3, 4) = [(2 × 3 × 4) × GCF(2, 3, 4)]/[GCF(2, 3) × GCF(3, 4) × GCF(2, 4)].

Which of the following is the LCM of 2, 3, and 4? 120, 12, 45, 21

The value of LCM of 2, 3, 4 is the smallest common multiple of 2, 3, and 4. The number satisfying the given condition is 12.

 
Download FREE Study Materials
LCM and GCF
Math worksheets and
visual curriculum