Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 138 and 42
The least common multiple (LCM) of 138 and 42 is 966.
What is the Least Common Multiple (LCM)?
The LCM of two integers is the smallest positive integer that is divisible by both numbers. It is often used to find common denominators and solve problems involving periodic events.
Formula for LCM
The LCM of two numbers can be calculated using their GCD:
LCM(a, b) = |a × b| ÷ GCD(a, b)
How to Calculate the LCM of 138 and 42?
First, calculate the GCD of 138 and 42 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 138 ÷ 42 = 3 remainder 12 |
| 2 | 42 ÷ 12 = 3 remainder 6 |
| 3 | 12 ÷ 6 = 2 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 36 and 167 | 6012 |
| 50 and 122 | 3050 |
| 119 and 160 | 19040 |
| 89 and 12 | 1068 |
| 84 and 177 | 4956 |