The LCM Function Calculates the least common multiple between two or more numbers. The least common multiple is the smallest integer that can be divided by all the numbers provided.
Syntax: =LCM(number1, [number2], …)
The LCM function syntax has the following arguments:
- number1: The first number or array of numbers you want to calculate the LCM for.
- [number2], … Optional. Additional numbers up to 254 (for a total of 255).
Example: Let’s look at some Excel LCM function examples and explore how to use the LCM function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:
Syntax: =LCM(A15,B15)
Result:
Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following LCM examples would return:
Syntax: =LCM(A16,B16)
Result: 21
Syntax: =LCM(A17,B17)
Result: 88
Syntax: =LCM(A18,B18,C18)
Result: 6510
Syntax: =LCM(A19,B19,C19)
Result: 9102
Syntax: =LCM(A20,B20,C20,D20)
Result: 924
Syntax: =LCM(A21,B21,C21,D21)
Result: 210
Syntax: =LCM(A22,B22,C22,D22)
Result: 60
Note:
- Use the LCM function when you want to calculate the least common multiple of integers. The least common multiple is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of all of the numbers supplied as arguments. A common use of the LCM function is to add fractions that have different denominators.
- For example, =LCM(3,4) returns 12, since 12 is the smallest multiple of both 3 and 4. However, =LCM(3,4,5) returns 60, since 60 is the smallest multiple of all three numbers.
