Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 24 and 42
The least common multiple (LCM) of 24 and 42 is 168.
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 24 and 42?
First, calculate the GCD of 24 and 42 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 24 ÷ 42 = 0 remainder 24 |
| 2 | 42 ÷ 24 = 1 remainder 18 |
| 3 | 24 ÷ 18 = 1 remainder 6 |
| 4 | 18 ÷ 6 = 3 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 185 and 200 | 7400 |
| 182 and 12 | 1092 |
| 135 and 124 | 16740 |
| 77 and 121 | 847 |
| 50 and 88 | 2200 |