The term LCM stands for Least Common Multiple. It is one of the mathematical operations used to get the least common multiple of two numbers. LCM is the lowest possible number divisible by the given two numbers. You can find LCM for two or more integers and two or more fractions. If you want to calculate the Least Common Multiple for two decimals, these values are truncated to integers.
Excel provides many built-in functions to perform calculations. It also provides the LCM function, so you can easily use it. This article will discuss the Excel LCM Function using syntax, definition, and examples. Get an official version of MS Excel from the following link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/excel
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What is the LCM Function?
LCM is one of the built-in functions in Microsoft Excel. It comes under Math functions. We can use this function in our spreadsheet whenever we want to get the least common multiple of the given integer values.
1) Syntax
- This is the basic syntax of the Excel LCM Function.
=LCM(number1, [number2],…)
2) Arguments
- number1 – The first input number.
- number2 – It is optional. The second number.
3) Motive
- This function helps to find the least common multiples of two or more integer values.
4) Return Value
- It returns the least common multiple of given numbers.
Note:
1) If any argument is non-numeric, it returns #VALUE! Error.
2) If you give any argument as less than zero, it returns #NUM! Error value.
What Will LCM Function Do?
As we said earlier, the LCM function will return the least common multiple of the given integer values. This function is categorized as “Math” in Excel. For example, LCM(6,12) returns the output value as 12. Let’s see an example scenario to make you understand it easily.
Step 1: For example, we have a work schedule for the next 30 days and this work should be finished by a group of 5 members. And we need to divide the work equally among 5 people. For that, we can use the LCM function.
Step 2: Now, we need to apply the following formula in any cell where we want to get the result.
=LCM(B3,C3)
Step 3: Now, click on the Enter button to get the result.
We hope that the given scenario helped you to understand the LCM function. Move to the below section if you have any confusion related to the working nature of this function.
Alternate Example
Here we will see how to apply the LCM function in the spreadsheet with simple examples.
1) Suppose you want to get the least common multiple of specific values on your spreadsheet, then you can directly apply the formula in the cell.
2) For example, we want to find the LCM of the integers 28, 10, & 22. We can apply the following formula in a cell where we want the result.
=LCM(28,10,22)
3) Hit the Enter button to get the result, as shown in the below image.
By doing so, you can quickly get the least common multiple values of the given integers using the LCM function.
Input that Causes Error
By seeing the below-given examples, you will understand the inputs that cause errors in the spreadsheet. And you will know if you encounter these errors, what will you do to solve them.
- If any argument is non-numeric, it returns #VALUE! Error.
- If you give any argument as less than zero, it returns #NUM! Error value.
Citations
To understand the usage of the LCM function, we have referred to the following articles. They helped us to know the purpose of this function. You can also check them out using the links: LCM function[1], and What is LCM in maths?[2].
Bottom-Line
With the help of the given scenarios and examples, you can easily understand the purpose of the LCM function in Excel and how to apply it in the spreadsheet. The screenshots help to learn it even easier. Drop your feedback in the below comment section. Thanks for visiting AawExcel. Keep Learning!!
If you want to know what people think about this LCM Function of Excel, then we suggest you look for it on the Quora interaction webpage. From there you can get to know more about the Excel LCM function. Here, we have provided the link to Quora’s official website.
Video Tutorial
The following video will show you how to use the Excel LCM function in the spreadsheet with proper examples.
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