How to use LCM function in Excel?

The LCM function in Excel is used to find the least common multiple of two or more integers. Here’s how you can use it:

Open Excel: Start by opening your Excel application.
Enter Numbers: In a worksheet, enter the numbers for which you want to find the least common multiple. You can type them directly into cells if you want to refer to them in the formula.
Using the LCM Function:

Click on the cell where you want the result to appear.
Type the formula `=LCM(number1, [number2], …)`. Replace `number1`, `number2`, etc., with the numbers or cell references of the integers you are interested in.
If, for example, your numbers are in cells A1, A2, and A3, you would type: `=LCM(A1, A2, A3)`.

Press Enter: Once you’ve entered the formula, press Enter, and the cell will display the least common multiple of the numbers provided.

Example:

Suppose you want to find the least common multiple of 15, 20, and 30. You can type the numbers in any cells, say A1, A2, and A3 respectively. Then, in another cell, type the formula:

=LCM(A1, A2, A3)

Or you can input the values directly into the formula:

=LCM(15, 20, 30)

Press Enter, and the result will show 60, which is the least common multiple of 15, 20, and 30.

Notes:

LCM for Negative Numbers: If any of the numbers are negative, LCM will use their absolute values.
Zero Value: If any number is zero, the LCM will be zero since any number multiplied by zero is zero.
Multiple Numbers: The LCM function can handle more than two numbers and will compute the least common multiple for all the numbers provided.

By using the LCM function, you can quickly determine the smallest multiple shared among a set of numbers, which is particularly useful in various mathematical and practical applications, such as scheduling or problem-solving where multiples are needed.

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