What is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers called?

The smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers is referred to as the Least Common Multiple (LCM). The LCM of a set of numbers is the lowest number that each of the numbers can divide into without leaving a remainder. This concept is essential in various mathematical applications, including adding and subtracting fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and solving problems involving multiple periodic events.

When calculating the LCM, you identify the multiples of each number in the set and find the smallest one that appears in all lists. This characteristic sets the LCM apart from other terms, such as the Greatest Common Factor (GCF), which refers to the largest number that can evenly divide a set of numbers, or the Least Common Factor, which is typically the smallest factor (which is always 1 for any set of integers). While "Common Multiple" does refer to multiples shared by a set of numbers, it does not specify the smallest such multiple, which is why it doesn't fulfill the definition in this context. Hence, identifying the LCM is critical for understanding how to work with multiples in mathematics.