What is the least common multiple of 12 and 18? explain how you got your answer!

Least common multiplue is the smallest number that the 2 numbers can multiply into  so exg LCM of 3 and 2 is 6,
to find, find the factors
12=2 times 2 times 3
18=2 timeds 3 times 3
so combine all of them
in 12, we have 2  2's and 1 three
in 18, we have 1 2 and 2 3's so
we must have 2 2's and 2 3's so
2 times 2 times 3 times 3=36=lcm\
so find factors and group

lcm=36

No because if you do the higher number minus the lower number you will get a positive. if you do it the other way around you will get a negative number