It is simply the smallest of the common multiples.
To find the least common multiple of two numbers is to first list the prime factors of each number.
Then multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either number. If the same factor occurs more than once in both numbers, you multiply the factor the greatest number of times it occurs.
Then multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either number. If the same factor occurs more than once in both numbers, you multiply the factor the greatest number of times it occurs.
For Example:
Find the LCM of these sets of numbers.
3, 9, 21
Solution: List the prime factors of each.
3: 3
9: 3 × 3
21: 3 × 7
Multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in any of the numbers. 9 has two 3s, and 21 has one 7, so we multiply 3 two times, and 7 once. This gives us 63, the smallest number that can be divided evenly by 3, 9, and 21. We check our work by verifying that 63 can be divided evenly by 3, 9, and 21.