LCM of 18 and 48
2026-02-28 19:12 Diff
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Last updated on August 5, 2025

The smallest number that should also be a positive number, and evenly divide both the numbers, is known as the least common factor. LCM is very important for solving problems, especially fractions, scheduling events etc.

What is the LCM of 18 and 48

The LCM of 18 and 48 is the lowest number that divides both 18 and 48 without leaving any remainder. The LCM of 18 and 48 is 144.
 

How to find the LCM of 18 and 48?

LCM of 18 and 48 using Division method:

In the division method, we divide both the numbers by the lowest possible number until we get 1 for both numbers.

2 divides 18 and 48, leaving 9,24


2 divides 24 and not 9, leaving 12,9


3 divides 12 and 9, leaving 4,3


3 divides 3 and not 4, leaving 1,4


4 divides 4 leaving 1

LCM = 4 × 2  × 3 × 3= 144.
 

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LCM of 18 and 48 using Listing multiples:

We write the multiples of both numbers till we find the common one.


Multiples of 18: 18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144, 162…


Multiples of 48: 48, 96, 144, 192…

The common multiple is 30. So, the LCM of 18 and 48 is 144.
 

LCM of 18 and 48 using prime factorization:

We part each number into divisors and select the highest powers of all the prime factors.

18=  2×3×3


48= 2×2×2×2 × 3×3

LCM = 24 × 32= 144.
 

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in LCM of 18 and 48

While solving problems on LCM, children are likely to make common mistakes, here are a few mistakes and how to avoid them

Problem 1

Given that the LCM of 18 and another number X is 144. Find the value of X.

Okay, lets begin

X=16.
 

Explanation

The LCM of 18 and X = 144


Factors of 18 = 2×3×3


LCM= 24 × 32 = 144


X= 24 =16


X=16.
 

Well explained 👍

Problem 2

Solve the following expression using LCM of 18 and 48: 5/18 + 7/48

Okay, lets begin

 LCM(18,48)=144
 

Explanation


5/18 = 5x8/144 =40/144 , 7/48=3 x 7/144 =21/144 

Add the fractions:


40/144 + 21/144  = 61/144 
 

Well explained 👍

Problem 3

Verify the prime factorization of LCM(3,10) using their prime factors.

Okay, lets begin

 3 =3 , 10= 2 × 5


LCM= 2 × 3 × 5= 30.

Well explained 👍

Problem 4

Solve the system of equations: x+y=66 and LCM(x, y)=144, find the value of x and y.

Okay, lets begin

The LCM of x and y is 144. The pairs that can be possible are : 


(18,48);(24,36)


We need a pair whose sum should be 66


18+48=66


So, x=18 and y=48.
 

Explanation

x=18 and y=48.

Well explained 👍

Problem 5

Find two positive integers whose LCM is 144 and whose sum is minimized.

Okay, lets begin

 the numbers are 24 and 36.
 

Explanation

 The factor pairs of 144 are:


(18,48), (24,36), etc


Among the pairs, the smallest sum will be:


24+36=60


So, the numbers are 24 and 36
 

Well explained 👍

FAQ’s on LCM of 18 and 48

1.What is the GCF of 12 and 100?

 The GCF of 12 and 100 is 4. It is the largest number, divides the two numbers without leaving a remainder.
 

2.How many distinct prime factors does 36 have?

 The two factors of 36 are 2 and 3. The two prime factors of a number are the factors which are prime numbers.
 

3.What are the first five composite numbers?

Composite numbers are the numbers that have factors more than 2. The first five numbers are 4,6,8,9,10.
 

4.What is the smallest odd prime number?

 The smallest odd prime number is 3. A prime number is the number that has only two factors.
 

5.How many multiples are there between 10 and 250?

The multiples between 10 and 250 are 60. Multiples are the products which are  found after multiplying the numbers.
 

Important glossaries for LCM of 18 and 48

  • Co-prime: two numbers that have only one number that is 1 as their common factor.  For example, 8 and 15 are co-prime numbers.
  • Even Number: A natural number is divisible by 2. For example, 2,4,68,10 etc.
  • Prime Factorization: The process of parting down a number into its prime factors is called Prime Factorization.  For example, prime factorization of 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3.
     

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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.