Write a program of LCM of two numbers in C Language

Understanding and Implementing the LCM of Two Numbers in C Language

Introduction:

In the realm of programming, efficiency and accuracy are paramount. When dealing with mathematical operations, finding the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of two numbers is a common requirement. Whether it's in algorithm design, cryptography, or simply solving mathematical problems programmatically, understanding how to compute the LCM efficiently is essential. In this blog post, we'll delve into the concept of LCM and explore how to implement it in the C programming language.

What is LCM?

The Least Common Multiple (LCM) of two integers is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both numbers without leaving a remainder. In other words, it is the least common multiple shared by the given numbers.

For example, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12, as 12 is the smallest number divisible by both 4 and 6.

Methods to Compute LCM:

There are various methods to compute the LCM of two numbers, including prime factorization, using the greatest common divisor (GCD), and using the formula:

LCM(a, b) = (a * b) / GCD(a, b)

However, in this post, we'll focus on a simple and efficient method based on the observation that LCM(a, b) = (a * b) / GCD(a, b).

Implementing LCM in C Language:

Now let's see how we can implement the LCM calculation in C language using the above formula.

#include <stdio.h>

// Function to compute the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)

int gcd(int a, int b) {

    if (b == 0)

        return a;

    else

        return gcd(b, a % b);

}

// Function to compute the Least Common Multiple (LCM)

int lcm(int a, int b) {

    return (a * b) / gcd(a, b);

}

int main() {

    int num1, num2;

    // Input two numbers from the user

    printf("Enter two numbers: ");

    scanf("%d %d", &num1, &num2);

    // Calculate and display the LCM

    printf("LCM of %d and %d is %d\n", num1, num2, lcm(num1, num2));

    return 0;

}

Conclusion:

In this blog post, we've explored the concept of the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of two numbers and how to implement it efficiently in the C programming language. By understanding the underlying principles and employing the provided code, you can now compute the LCM of any two integers programmatically, facilitating various computational tasks. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer, mastering such fundamental mathematical operations is crucial for developing robust and efficient software solutions.