What is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers referred to as?

The smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers is referred to as the least common multiple (LCM). This concept is important in mathematics, especially when working with fractions or when trying to find common denominators. The LCM of a set of numbers is the smallest positive integer that can be divided by each of the numbers in that set without leaving a remainder.

For example, if you were finding the LCM of 4 and 6, you would identify that 12 is the smallest number that both 4 and 6 can divide into evenly (4 x 3 = 12 and 6 x 2 = 12). Understanding how to calculate the LCM helps in solving problems that involve combining fractions or schedules that require alignment of cycles or events.

In contrast, the greatest common factor (GCF) refers to the largest number that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder, which is a different concept altogether. The median is a statistical measure that describes the middle value in a data set when the numbers are arranged in order, while the mode refers to the number that appears most frequently in a data set. These terms do not relate to the specific idea of finding a common multiple among numbers.