lcm2

Lcm2 is a term used in mathematics and computing to denote the least common multiple of two integers. In many contexts it appears as a two-argument function named lcm2, distinguishing it from variants that compute the LCM of three or more numbers.

Definition and properties: For integers a and b, the least common multiple is lcm(a,b) = |a*b| / gcd(a,b). The value is the smallest positive integer divisible by both a and b. If either input is zero, most conventions define lcm(0,b) = 0. The operation is commutative and, when extended to sequences, can be combined associatively with respect to multiple inputs.

Computing: In software libraries, lcm2 often implements the two-argument case using the gcd via Euclid's algorithm. Some languages provide a generic LCM function that accepts a list of numbers; lcm2 is then a specialized alias in two-argument form. For example, lcm2(8, 12) equals 24.

Usage and disambiguation: The term lcm2 is not universally standardized and may appear in different programming environments or educational materials to denote two-number LCM. When encountering lcm2, it is advisable to check the specific documentation for the intended meaning and any edge cases for zero or negative inputs.

See also: Least common multiple; Greatest common divisor; Euclidean algorithm; LCM (general).