Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 196 and 72
The least common multiple (LCM) of 196 and 72 is 3528.
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 196 and 72?
First, calculate the GCD of 196 and 72 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 196 ÷ 72 = 2 remainder 52 |
| 2 | 72 ÷ 52 = 1 remainder 20 |
| 3 | 52 ÷ 20 = 2 remainder 12 |
| 4 | 20 ÷ 12 = 1 remainder 8 |
| 5 | 12 ÷ 8 = 1 remainder 4 |
| 6 | 8 ÷ 4 = 2 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 54 and 28 | 756 |
| 56 and 60 | 840 |
| 174 and 176 | 15312 |
| 94 and 79 | 7426 |
| 20 and 101 | 2020 |