Skip to Main Content

Least Common Multiple

Mike McGarry
Lesson by Mike McGarry
Magoosh Expert
Summary
The content provides an in-depth exploration of the Least Common Multiple (LCM), its calculation methods, significance in mathematical problems, particularly in the context of the GMAT exam, and strategies for enhancing number sense and intuition.
  • Introduction to the concept of Least Common Multiple (LCM) and its equivalence to the Least Common Denominator (LCD), emphasizing the importance of understanding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) as a prerequisite.
  • Explanation of the method to find the LCM through listing multiples and a more efficient shortcut involving prime factorization and the GCF for larger numbers.
  • Illustration of the LCM's application in solving problems, including direct questions on the GMAT, word problems, and operations with fractions, highlighting the LCM as the least common denominator.
  • Advice on avoiding reliance solely on procedural knowledge for finding the LCM, advocating for the development of number sense through daily practice with pairs of numbers.
  • Recommendation of an exercise to build intuition for determining the GCF and LCM, aiming to improve mental math abilities and performance in the math section of the GMAT.
Chapters
00:00
Understanding Least Common Multiple
00:33
Finding the LCM: Methods and Examples
04:25
LCM in GMAT Problems
06:27
Developing Number Sense for LCM