- Python LCM – 2 Ways to find LCM
- What is the math.lcm() function in Python?
- Solution approach
- Syntax
- Parameters
- Return value
- Code
- Python math.lcm() – Least Common Multiple
- Syntax
- Examples
- 1. LCM of two integers
- 2. LCM of one integer
- 3. LCM of float values
- Summary
- LCM of Two Numbers in python
- LCM: Least Common Multiple
- Python Program to Compute LCM
- Program to Compute LCM Using GCD
- Conclusion
- See Also:
Python LCM – 2 Ways to find LCM
In this article, we’ll see different ways to find LCM in Python with program examples.
Basically LCM is a smallest number that is divisible by both numbers (or all). Let us see how we can find lcm of two numbers in python.
1. Using Loop
First we find the larger number of two given numbers. Starting from it and will try to find the first number that is divisible by both, which is LCM.
If you’ve the basic knowledge of mathematics, then you would know that we can find LCM very easily using GCD.
number 1 * number 2 = LCM * GCD
LCM = (number 1 * number 2)/GCD of number1 and 2
Let’s implement this formula into program.
least common multiple = 60.0
So in above program we’ve have function that receives two arguments and then inside it, first we’ll find GCD and after that we’re applying given formula to find out LCM with the help of GCD and return it.
So these were two easiest ways to get the LCM of two given numbers. But what if we have more than two numbers. So here is the program for it.
How to find LCM of more than two numbers?
least common multiple = 240
So in above program, we have an list of numbers and then we will store first item of the list in variable lcm. Then we will loop through all the elements present in the list1. Inside the loop we’ll multiply lcm with i/GCD of lcm and i. So after breaking the loop we’ll get our LCM of all numbers in variable lcm.
If you’ve any problem or suggestion related to python lcm programs then please let us know in comment box.
What is the math.lcm() function in Python?
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The math module in Python contains a number of mathematical operations. Amongst some of the most important functions in this module is the lcm() function which returns the least common multiple of the specified integer arguments.
The lcm function was newly introduced in the Python version 3.9.0.
Solution approach
The Least Common Multiple (LCM) of a group of numbers is the least possible number that is divisible by all the numbers in the group.
For example, the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 is 12, because 12 is the least number which is divisible by all three numbers.
Syntax
The syntax of the math.lcm() function is shown below.
Note: The math.lcm() function is available in Python 3.9.0 and higher.
Parameters
The math.lcm() function accepts n integers, where n = any real number.
Return value
The math.lcm() function returns the least common multiple of the specified numbers.
- If all the provided numbers are 0 0 0 , it returns 0 0 0 .
- If no arguments are provided, it returns 1 1 1 .
- If a float or string parameter is provided, the math.lcm() method returns a TypeError .
Code
The code snippet below shows how the math.lcm() works in Python.
Python math.lcm() – Least Common Multiple
math.lcm(*integers) function returns the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the integers passed as arguments.
Syntax
The syntax to call lcm() function is
Parameter | Required | Description |
---|---|---|
*integers | No | None, one or multiple integer values. |
If no integer value is passed as argument to lcm(), then the return value is 1.
If only one integer is passed to lcm(), then then same value is returned as LCM.
If any non-integral value is passed as argument to lcm(), then the function raises TypeError.
Examples
1. LCM of two integers
In the following program, we find the LCM of two integers: 10 and 25.
Python Program
import math result = math.lcm(10, 25) print('lcm() :', result)
2. LCM of one integer
In the following program, we find the LCM of a single integer value: 5.
Python Program
import math result = math.lcm(5) print('lcm() :', result)
3. LCM of float values
In the following program, we try to find the LCM of floating point values. math.lcm() throws TypeError, because the method accepts only integer values.
Python Program
import math result = math.lcm(5.5) print('lcm() :', result)
TypeError: 'float' object cannot be interpreted as an integer
Summary
In this Python Math tutorial, we learned the syntax of, and examples for math.lcm() function.
LCM of Two Numbers in python
LCM stands for Least Common Multiple . The lcm of two numbers in python is the smallest positive number or value that can be divided by both the provided numbers. LCM of two numbers (say a and b ) is denoted by lcm(a, b) .
LCM: Least Common Multiple
LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. The Least Common Multiple or the Lowest Common Multiple comes under arithmetic and number theory. The lcm of two numbers in python is the smallest positive number or value that can be divided by both the provided numbers.
LCM of two numbers (let’s say a and b ) is denoted by lcm(a, b) .
As we know, when we divide a number by zero, the result is undefined. So, both a and b must not be 0 .
For example, the LCM of 15 and 20 is 60 ; since 60 is the smallest number, it can be divided by both 15 and 20 .
There are several ways of calculating the lcm of two numbers in python. We can find LCM of two or more numbers using a loop, gcd method, and in-built functions.
Refer to the image provided below to get a better understanding.
Let us learn about different ways of calculating the lcm of two numbers in python.
Python Program to Compute LCM
Let us code a program to find the LCM of two numbers. Before actually digging into the code, let us first create a flow chart to visualize the working of the code.
Name of the function: lcm(a, b) .
First, we will calculate the greater number among a and b. After calculating the greater number among the parameters, we will run an infinite loop. We will divide the greater number by a and b . If both the numbers can divide the greater number completely, we have found our lcm. Otherwise, we will increment the greater number by 1 1 1 and perform the same above process until the greater number completely divides the numbers a and b .
Let us calculate the lcm of 4 and 6 .
Program to Compute LCM Using GCD
Before learning to find lcm in python using gcd or HCF (Highest Common Factor), we should first know what gcd is.
GCD stands for Greatest Common Divisor. The Greatest Common Divisor of two or more numbers is the largest positive integer that divides each number.
We can generate both numbers if we know the lcm and HCF of the two numbers. The basic formula is:
a x b = l c m ( a , b ) ∗ g c d ( a , b ) a x b = lcm(a, b) * gcd(a, b) a x b = l c m ( a , b ) ∗ g c d ( a , b )
L C M ( a , b ) = ( a ∗ b ) / g c d ( a , b ) LCM(a, b) = (a * b) / gcd(a, b) L C M ( a , b ) = ( a ∗ b ) / g c d ( a , b )
Now, we can calculate the gcd of two or more numbers using recursion and the gcd function of the math module.
Let us see the code implementation for a better understanding:
Conclusion
- LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. The lcm of two numbers in python is the smallest positive number or value that can be divided by both the provided numbers.
- LCM of two numbers (let’s say a and b ) is denoted by lcm(a, b).
- There are several ways of calculating the lcm of two numbers in python. We can find LCM of two or more numbers using a loop, gcd method, and in-built functions.