Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 72 and 12
The least common multiple (LCM) of 72 and 12 is 72.
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 72 and 12?
First, calculate the GCD of 72 and 12 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 72 ÷ 12 = 6 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 66 and 167 | 11022 |
| 38 and 28 | 532 |
| 45 and 187 | 8415 |
| 138 and 24 | 552 |
| 60 and 137 | 8220 |