Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 72 and 15
The least common multiple (LCM) of 72 and 15 is 360.
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 15?
First, calculate the GCD of 72 and 15 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 72 ÷ 15 = 4 remainder 12 |
| 2 | 15 ÷ 12 = 1 remainder 3 |
| 3 | 12 ÷ 3 = 4 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 21 and 12 | 84 |
| 153 and 79 | 12087 |
| 131 and 151 | 19781 |
| 187 and 26 | 4862 |
| 67 and 46 | 3082 |