GCF And LCM Calculator – GCF and LCM determines the greatest common factor and least common multiple of 2-6 numbers
What are GCF and LCM? how to find it using different methods
An abbreviation for LCM is Least Common Multiple, while a GCF is the abbreviation for the greatest common divisor.
The purpose of this article is to explain how to calculate the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM) of integers.
There are many different situations where these skills can be useful.
What are GCF and LCM?
The first term indicates the largest number that can be evenly divided by two whole numbers.
In mathematics, the LCM is a small integer that can be divided by the given numbers and emerges as a common multiple.
The largest integer shared by all the numbers is GCF.
How to find GCF?
From a list of common factors for two sets of numbers, we can easily find the biggest common factor for both sets of numbers. When a group of numbers is given, the GFC is the greatest common factor.
GCFs are fairly easy to find out.
- Identifying the factors from the given set of numbers is the first step.
- We then identify the factors that are common to them.
- Among these common factors, the GCF is the largest one.
By using GFC, fractions are simplified and calculation is clarified.
Example (Listing Method):
For example, we have the numbers 5 and 25 and we have to find the GCF among them, we can make their factors.
Let’s take the numbers 5 and 25 as examples. If we have to find the GCF among them, we can do it by obtaining factors between them.
Factors of 5: (1, 5)
Factors of 25: (1, 5, 25)
As you can see 1 and 5 are the common factors, so we can multiply them and get the result.
Hence, the GCF between 5 and 25 will be 1 × 5 = 5.
Example (Using Prime Factorization):
In this method, we find the prime factors between two numbers and then again find the common factors.
Suppose we have the numbers 24 and 36.
Prime factors of 24: 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
Prime factors of 36: 2 × 2 × 3 × 3
Common factors among these two numbers: 2 × 2 × 3
Thus, by multiplying the common factors, the greatest common factor is obtained.
In our example, 2 × 2 × 3 equals 12, so it is GCF.
How to calculate GCF using an Online Calculator?
The GCF or HCF finder uses a variety of methods to determine the greatest common factor (highest) among the input numbers.
- Prime factorization method
- Listing Method
- Euclidian Algorithm
- Upside Down Division
- Simple Division method
To use an online greatest common factor calculator, enter comma-separated input values.
After entering values, select either of the method listed above.
Then just click “Calculate” to get the result you want.
Using 35 and 95 as inputs and selecting the “Prime Factorization” method, we obtained the following results.
Uses of GCF
The GCD is used in numerous number theory applications, such as modular arithmetic and encryption algorithms.
Additionally, it can simplify fractions for simpler applications, like adding fractions to a number.
As a result, GCDs are among the most fundamental concepts in number theory, and many algorithms have been developed to efficiently compute them.
How to find LCM with GCF And LCM Calculator
LCM stands for the smallest common multiple that can be divided by the set of given numbers. Each number must be a multiple of the other ones.
LCM can be discovered in a variety of ways. The three most widely used methods are:
- The prime factorization method
- The listing of multiples
- The division method
Finding prime factors for each number is part of the prime factorization method. The LCM is then calculated by pairing the prime numbers.
Example of Prime Factorization
Our example involves finding the LCM between two numbers 15 and 35.
Prime factors of 15: 3 × 5
Prime factors of 35: 7 × 5
As the 5 is the common number between these values, so we can find the least common multiple by the following process:
3 × 5 × 7 = 105
So, 105 is the LCM of the numbers 15 and 35.
How to calculate LCM using an Online Calculator?
An LCM calculator calculates the least common number among two or more numbers.
It is quite easy to calculate large LCM numbers using the LCM calculator. LCM and least common denominator are terms used interchangeably.
Following is a step-by-step instruction for using the least common factor calculator:
- Fill in the input box with the values.
- Use a comma to separate each value.
- By clicking the Calculate button, you will find the least common factor between the given values.
- To start a new calculation, click the Reset button.
With the online HCF and LCM calculator, you can find the LCM quickly and efficiently.
Uses of LCM
Here are some real-life applications of LCM calculation:
- Creating smaller sections of information.
- The distribution of any number of items equally into their largest grouping.
- To determine the number of guests we can invite.
GCFs don’t come up that often at this point in mathematics. It is sometimes used for factoring polynomial expressions by dividing the GCF out of every term and using it to factor polynomial expressions.
But the LCM always arises whenever you are trying to work out a fraction’s common denominator.
Final Words
It is rather straightforward to discover the greatest common factor and the least common multiple, regardless of which technique is used in the process.
GCFs and LCMs are often useful when working with factors and multiples. These skills can help simplify fractions and other calculations.
These, however, extend what we know about multiplication and division, so that we acquire a deeper understanding of what it means to be a factor or multiple, and that we can more readily comprehend real-life’s situations.
Pick some numbers to practice, and you are good to go. In the exercises, we mostly used two numbers at a time, but the same can be done with any group.
