Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 72 and 21
The least common multiple (LCM) of 72 and 21 is 504.
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 21?
First, calculate the GCD of 72 and 21 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 72 ÷ 21 = 3 remainder 9 |
| 2 | 21 ÷ 9 = 2 remainder 3 |
| 3 | 9 ÷ 3 = 3 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 136 and 89 | 12104 |
| 193 and 55 | 10615 |
| 123 and 51 | 2091 |
| 103 and 79 | 8137 |
| 146 and 56 | 4088 |