Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 172 and 73
The least common multiple (LCM) of 172 and 73 is 12556.
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 172 and 73?
First, calculate the GCD of 172 and 73 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 172 ÷ 73 = 2 remainder 26 |
| 2 | 73 ÷ 26 = 2 remainder 21 |
| 3 | 26 ÷ 21 = 1 remainder 5 |
| 4 | 21 ÷ 5 = 4 remainder 1 |
| 5 | 5 ÷ 1 = 5 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 127 and 42 | 5334 |
| 87 and 15 | 435 |
| 197 and 140 | 27580 |
| 160 and 12 | 480 |
| 140 and 143 | 20020 |