What does the least common multiple represent?

The least common multiple (LCM) represents the smallest multiple other than zero that two or more numbers have in common. To understand this, consider the definition of a multiple: a number is a multiple of another number if it can be obtained by multiplying that number by an integer. When looking for the LCM, you identify the multiples of each number involved and find the smallest one that appears in both lists.

For example, if you are looking for the LCM of 4 and 5, the multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and so on, while the multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc. The smallest multiple that both numbers share is 20, making the LCM of 4 and 5 equal to 20. This concept is fundamental in various applications, such as finding a common time for events that repeat at different intervals or simplifying problems involving fractions.

The other options do not accurately describe the least common multiple. The largest factor of two numbers does not relate to multiples but rather to common divisors. The smallest prime factor of a number pertains to the prime factorization, which is unrelated to