What is LCM Function in Excel?
The LCM function is one of the math functions of Excel.
It Returns the least common multiple.
We can find this function in Math & trig category of insert function Tab.
How to use LCM function in excel
- Click on an empty cell (like F5 )
2. Click on fx icon (or press shift+F3)
3. In the insert function tab you will see all functions
4. Select math and trig category
5. Select LCM function
6. Then select ok
7. In the function arguments Tab you will see LCM function
8 & 9. Numbers: number1,number2,… are 1 to 255 values for which you want the least common multiple
10. You will see results in the formula result section
Examples of LCM function in Excel
- =LCM(20,30) returns 60, because 60 is the smallest number that both 20 and 30 divide into evenly.
- =LCM(3,5,7) returns 105, because it is the smallest number that all three arguments divide into evenly.
- =LCM(A2:A5) where A2:A5 contains {6, 8, 12, 18} returns 72, because it is the smallest number that all four values divide into evenly.
- =LCM(B3:B6) where B3:B6 contains {3, 9, 15, 21} returns 315, because it is the smallest number that all four values divide into evenly.
- =LCM(2,3,5,7,11) returns 2310, because it is the smallest number that all five arguments divide into evenly.
- =LCM(24,36) returns 72, because 72 is the smallest number that both 24 and 36 divide into evenly.
- =LCM(12,15,18) returns 180, because it is the smallest number that all three arguments divide into evenly.
- =LCM(16,24,32) returns 96, because it is the smallest number that all three arguments divide into evenly.
- =LCM(C2:C7) where C2:C7 contains {2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64} returns 64, because it is the smallest number that all six values divide into evenly.
- =LCM(D4:D9) where D4:D9 contains {10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50} returns 300, because it is the smallest number that all six values divide into evenly.
Example 1:
How to use LCM function in excel
You can see examples of LCM function below:
lcm(A2,B2) ----->>>>answer is 9
lcm(A3,B3) ----->>>>answer is 18
lcm(A4,B4) ----->>>>answer is 90
lcm(A5,B5) ----->>>>answer is 50
lcm(A6,B6) ----->>>>answer is 15LCM Function in Excel: What is it and How Does it Work?
The LCM function in Excel stands for “Least Common Multiple” and is used to find the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more specified integer values. The function works by finding the multiples of each value and identifying the smallest one that is common among all of them.
For example, =LCM(12, 18) returns 36 because it is the smallest number that both 12 and 18 divide into evenly.
Excel LCM Function Explained: Understanding the Basics
The LCM function in Excel is a mathematical function used to calculate the least common multiple of two or more numbers. It takes two or more integers as its arguments and returns the smallest integer that is divisible by all of them.
For example, =LCM(5, 7) returns 35 because it is the smallest number that both 5 and 7 divide into evenly.
Mastering the LCM Function in Excel: A Guide to Arguments
When using the LCM function in Excel, the arguments are the values that you want to find the least common multiple of. You can enter up to 255 values as arguments, each separated by a comma.
For example, =LCM(2, 4, 6) returns 12 because it is the smallest number that all three values divide into evenly.
How Many Values can the LCM Function in Excel Handle?
The LCM function in Excel can handle up to 255 values as arguments. If you need to find the least common multiple of more than 255 values, you will need to use an array formula.
For example, =LCM(2, 4, 6, …, 500) where there are 255 values between 2 and 500 would work, but =LCM(2, 4, 6, …, 1000) where there are more than 255 values would require an array formula.
Using the LCM Function in Excel with Non-Integer Values: What You Need to Know
The LCM function in Excel can only be used with integer values. If you need to find the least common multiple of decimal or other non-integer values, you will need to convert them to integers first.
For example, =LCM(3, 4.5) returns #VALUE! error because 4.5 is not an integer value. To find the LCM of 3 and 4.5, you would need to convert 4.5 to an integer, such as 9. Then, =LCM(3,9) would return 9, which is the smallest number that both 3 and 4.5 (rounded up to 9) divide into evenly.
Can Negative Numbers be Used in the LCM Function in Excel?
No, the LCM function in Excel cannot accept negative numbers as arguments. If you need to find the least common multiple of negative integers, you will need to convert them to positive integers before using them with the LCM function.
For example, =LCM(-6,-9) returns #NUM! error because negative values cannot be used as arguments. To find the LCM of -6 and -9, you would first need to convert them to positive integers by multiplying them by -1. Then, =LCM(6,9) would return 18, which is the smallest number that both 6 and 9 divide into evenly.
LCM Function in Excel: Maximum Number Limitations
The LCM function in Excel has a maximum number limitation depending on the version of Excel being used. In Excel 2016 and later versions, the largest number that can be used as an argument is 9.99999999999999E+307. In earlier versions of Excel, such as Excel 2013, the maximum number is 1.79769313486232E+308.
For example, =LCM(9.99999999999999E+307,5) would round the largest possible number in Excel 2016 down to the nearest multiple of 5.
Nesting the LCM Function: Tips and Tricks for Excel Users
You can nest the LCM function within another function in Excel to perform more complex calculations. For example, you could use the LCM function within the SUM function to determine the sum of a series of values that have a common multiple.
For example, =SUM(LCM(2,4),LCM(3,6)) would calculate the sum of the least common multiples of 2 and 4, and 3 and 6, which is 12 + 6 = 18.
Excel GCD vs LCM Function: Understanding the Differences
While both the GCD (greatest common divisor) and LCM (least common multiple) functions in Excel relate to finding common multiples among values, they have different applications. The GCD function is used to find the largest number that divides evenly into two or more specified integers, while the LCM function finds the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more specified integers.
For example, =GCD(12,18) returns 6 because it is the largest number that both 12 and 18 divide into evenly.
Finding the Least Common Multiple of Three or More Numbers with Excel’s LCM Function
To find the least common multiple of three or more numbers using the LCM function in Excel, simply list all of the numbers as individual arguments separated by commas.
For example, =LCM(4, 6, 8) returns 24 because it is the smallest number that all three values divide into evenly.
The Smallest Number that Divides Two Integers Evenly: A closer look at Excel’s LCM Function
The LCM function in Excel is used to find the smallest number that divides two or more specified integers evenly. This number is also known as the least common multiple.
For example, =LCM(4, 6) returns 12 because it is the smallest number that both 4 and 6 divide into evenly.
Real-World Applications of the LCM Function in Excel: Practical Examples
The LCM function in Excel can be used to solve real-world problems related to finance, engineering, and other fields. For example, it can be used to determine the optimal time for scheduling routine maintenance on equipment that needs to be shut down periodically.
For instance, a company has three machines that need to undergo maintenance every 9, 12, and 15 months respectively. They would want to schedule a time when all three machines are undergoing maintenance simultaneously. Using the LCM function, they can determine that the optimal time for maintenance is every 180 months (LCM of 9, 12, and 15).
LCM Function in Excel: Is there a Limit to the Number of Arguments?
Yes, there is a limit to the number of arguments that can be used with the LCM function in Excel. The maximum number of arguments is 255.
For example, =LCM(2, 4, 6, …, 250) where there are 255 values between 2 and 250 would work, but =LCM(2, 4, 6, …, 500) where there are more than 255 values would require an array formula.
Zero as an Argument in the LCM Function: Possible Outcomes in Excel
If one of the arguments in the LCM function in Excel is zero, the function will return a value of zero. This is because any number multiplied by zero equals zero.
For example, =LCM(4, 0) returns 0 because 0 is a multiple of all numbers, and therefore, the smallest number that both 4 and 0 divide into evenly is zero.
Using Negative Arguments in the LCM Function: What Happens in Excel?
If one or more of the arguments in the LCM function in Excel is negative, you must first convert them to positive values before using the LCM function. If this is not done, an error will be returned.
For example, =LCM(-6, 9) returns an error because -6 is a negative value. To find the LCM of -6 and 9, you would need to convert -6 to a positive integer by multiplying it by -1. Then, =LCM(6, 9) would return 18, which is the smallest number that both 6 and 9 divide into evenly.
Using a Range of Cells as an Argument in the LCM Function in Excel
The LCM function in Excel can accept a range of cells as an argument. This is useful when you need to find the least common multiple of multiple values stored in different cells.
For example, =LCM(A1:A5) would return the least common multiple of the values in cells A1 through A5.
LCM Function in Excel: Working with Decimal Values
The LCM function in Excel only works with integer values. If decimal values are used as arguments, a #VALUE! error will be returned. To use decimals with the LCM function, you will need to convert them to integers first.
For example, =LCM(3, 4.5) returns a #VALUE! error because 4.5 is not an integer value. To find the LCM of 3 and 4.5, you would need to convert 4.5 to an integer, such as 9. Then, =LCM(3, 9) would return 9, which is the smallest number that both 3 and 4.5 (rounded up to 9) divide into evenly.
Syntax for the LCM Function in Excel: A Quick Guide
The syntax for the LCM function in Excel is as follows: =LCM(number1,[number2],…). The “number” arguments represent the numerical values for which you want to find the least common multiple.
For example, =LCM(6,9) returns 18 because it is the smallest number that both 6 and 9 divide into evenly.
Can the LCM Function in Excel be Used with Mixed or Text Data Types?
No, the LCM function in Excel only works with numerical data types. If mixed or text data types are used as arguments, a #VALUE! error will be returned.
For example, =LCM(2, “four”) returns a #VALUE! error because “four” is not a numerical value.
Version Limitations of the LCM Function in Excel: What You Need to Know
The maximum number that the LCM function in Excel can handle as an argument depends on the version of Excel being used. In earlier versions of Excel, such as Excel 2013, the maximum number is 1.79769313486232E+308. In Excel 2016 and later versions, the largest number that can be used as an argument is 9.99999999999999E+307.
For example, =LCM(9.99999999999999E+307,5) would round the largest possible number in Excel 2016 down to the nearest multiple of 5.
