LCM of 4 and 12

LCM of 4 and 12 is the smallest number among all common multiples of 4 and 12. The first few multiples of 4 and 12 are (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, . . . ) and (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, . . . ) respectively. There are 3 commonly used methods to find LCM of 4 and 12 - by listing multiples, by division method, and by prime factorization.

Answer: LCM of 4 and 12 is 12.

Explanation:

The LCM of two non-zero integers, x(4) and y(12), is the smallest positive integer m(12) that is divisible by both x(4) and y(12) without any remainder.

Let's look at the different methods for finding the LCM of 4 and 12.

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

LCM of 4 and 12 by Listing Multiples

To calculate the LCM of 4 and 12 by listing out the common multiples, we can follow the given below steps:

• Step 1: List a few multiples of 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, . . . ) and 12 (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, . . . . )
• Step 2: The common multiples from the multiples of 4 and 12 are 12, 24, . . .
• Step 3: The smallest common multiple of 4 and 12 is 12.

∴ The least common multiple of 4 and 12 = 12.

LCM of 4 and 12 by Prime Factorization

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

LCM of 4 and 12 by Division Method

To calculate the LCM of 4 and 12 by the division method, we will divide the numbers(4, 12) by their prime factors (preferably common). The product of these divisors gives the LCM of 4 and 12.

• Step 1: Find the smallest prime number that is a factor of at least one of the numbers, 4 and 12. Write this prime number(2) on the left of the given numbers(4 and 12), separated as per the ladder arrangement.
• Step 2: If any of the given numbers (4, 12) 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 4 and 12 is the product of all prime numbers on the left, i.e. LCM(4, 12) by division method = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12.

☛ Also Check:

• LCM of 32 and 36 - 288
• LCM of 36 and 84 - 252
• LCM of 4, 6 and 9 - 36
• LCM of 12, 15, 20 and 27 - 540
• LCM of 6 and 18 - 18
• LCM of 30, 72 and 432 - 2160
• LCM of 2 and 7 - 14

FAQs on LCM of 4 and 12

What is the LCM of 4 and 12?

The LCM of 4 and 12 is 12. To find the least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 12, we need to find the multiples of 4 and 12 (multiples of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16; multiples of 12 = 12, 24, 36, 48) and choose the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by 4 and 12, i.e., 12.

What are the Methods to Find LCM of 4 and 12?

The commonly used methods to find the LCM of 4 and 12 are:

• Listing Multiples
• Division Method
• Prime Factorization Method

What is the Relation Between GCF and LCM of 4, 12?

The following equation can be used to express the relation between GCF and LCM of 4 and 12, i.e. GCF × LCM = 4 × 12.

If the LCM of 12 and 4 is 12, Find its GCF.

LCM(12, 4) × GCF(12, 4) = 12 × 4
Since the LCM of 12 and 4 = 12
⇒ 12 × GCF(12, 4) = 48
Therefore, the GCF (greatest common factor) = 48/12 = 4.

How to Find the LCM of 4 and 12 by Prime Factorization?

To find the LCM of 4 and 12 using prime factorization, we will find the prime factors, (4 = 2 × 2) and (12 = 2 × 2 × 3). LCM of 4 and 12 is the product of prime factors raised to their respective highest exponent among the numbers 4 and 12.
⇒ LCM of 4, 12 = 2² × 3¹ = 12.