Least common multiple (LCM) is the smallest positive integer that's divisible by two or more numbers without a remainder. It's like finding the common denominator for fractions, but instead of adding them together, you're just trying to get them to play nice and fit into the same box.

How to use it in a sentence

• I was trying to figure out how many sprints it would take for the design team and the engineering team to be in sync, so I calculated the least common multiple (LCM) of their sprint lengths. Turns out, it's gonna be a long time before they're on the same page again.

• When refactoring legacy code, sometimes it feels like finding the least common multiple (LCM) of all the different coding styles used over the years. It's a miracle if you can get them all to align and make sense together.

If you actually want to learn more...

• Find the best rational fraction approximation to a decimal number: This article dives into the nitty-gritty of finding the best rational approximation for a decimal number, which is kind of like finding the LCM's more sophisticated cousin.

• Resources: If you're into Lisp (and who isn't these days?), this page has a ton of resources to help you nerd out on all things Lisp, including some stuff that might tangentially relate to LCMs if you squint hard enough.

• Carl de Marcken: Inside Orbitz: This email gives a fascinating look at how Orbitz uses Lisp and advanced algorithms to handle airline queries. It's not directly related to LCMs, but it's a cool read if you're into seeing how math and computer science can be used to make travel planning slightly less painful.

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