12, 16 and 20 LCM
LCM of 12, 16 and 20 is equal to 240. The comprehensive work provides more insight of how to find what is the lcm of 12, 16 and 20 by using prime factors and special division methods, and the example use case of mathematics and real world problems.
what is the lcm of 12, 16 and 20?
lcm (12 16 20) = (?)
12 => 2 x 2 x 3
16 => 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
20 => 2 x 2 x 5
= 2 x 2 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 5
= 240
lcm (12, 16 and 20) = 240
240 is the lcm of 12, 16 and 20.
where,
12 is a positive integer,
16 is a positive integer,
240 is the lcm of 12, 16 and 20,
{2, 2} in {2 x 2 x 3, 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, 2 x 2 x 5} are the most repeated factors of 12, 16 and 20,
{3, 2, 2, 5} in {2 x 2 x 3, 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, 2 x 2 x 5} are the the other remaining factors of 12, 16 and 20.
Use in Mathematics: LCM of 12, 16 and 20
The below are some of the mathematical applications where lcm of 12, 16 and 20 can be used:
- to find the least number which is exactly divisible by 12, 16 and 20.
- to find the common denominators for the fractions having 12, 16 and 20 as denominators in the unlike fractions addition or subtraction.
In the context of lcm real world problems, the lcm of 12, 16 and 20 helps to find the exact time when three similar and recurring with different time schedule happens together at the same time. For example, the real world problems involve lcm in situations to find at what time all the bells A, B and C toll together, if bell A tolls at 12 seconds, B tolls at 16 seconds and C tolls at 20 seconds repeatedly. The answer is that all bells A, B and C toll together at 240 seconds for the first time, at 480 seconds for the second time, at 720 seconds for the third time and so on.
Important Notes: 12, 16 and 20 lcm
The below are the important notes to be remembered while solving the lcm of 12, 16 and 20:
- The repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 12, 16 and 20 should be multiplied to find the least common multiple of 12, 16 and 20, when solving lcm by using prime factors method.
- The results of lcm of 12, 16 and 20 is identical even if we change the order of given numbers in the lcm calculation, it means the order of given numbers in the lcm calculation doesn't affect the results.
How-to: What is the LCM of 12, 16 and 20?
Solved example using prime factors method:
What is the LCM of 12, 16 and 20?
step 1 Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
A = 12
B = 16
C = 20
What to be found:
find the lcm of 12, 16 and 20
step 2 Find the prime factors of 12, 16 and 20:
Prime factors of 12 = 2 x 2 x 3
Prime factors of 16 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
Prime factors of 20 = 2 x 2 x 5
step 3 Identify the repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 12, 16 and 20:
{2, 2} are the most repeated factors and {3, 2, 2, 5} are the non-repeated factors of 12, 16 and 20.
step 4 Find the product of repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 12, 16 and 20:
= 2 x 2 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 5
= 240
lcm(20 and 30) = 240
Hence,
lcm of 12, 16 and 20 is 240
This special division method is the easiest way to understand the entire calculation of what is the lcm of 12, 16 and 20.
step 1 Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
Integers: 12, 16 and 20
What to be found:
lcm (12, 16, 20) = ?
step 2 Arrange the given integers in the horizontal form with space or comma separated format:
12, 16 and 20
step 3 Choose the divisor which divides each or most of the given integers (12, 16 and 20), divide each integers separately and write down the quotient in the next line right under the respective integers. Bring down the integer to the next line if any integer in 12, 16 and 20 is not divisible by the selected divisor; repeat the same process until all the integers are brought to 1 as like below:
| 2 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
step 4 Multiply the divisors to find the lcm of 12, 16 and 20:
= 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 5
= 240
LCM(12, 16, 20) = 240
The least common multiple for three numbers 12, 16 and 20 is 240
