Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 72 and 36
The least common multiple (LCM) of 72 and 36 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 36?
First, calculate the GCD of 72 and 36 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 72 ÷ 36 = 2 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 160 and 138 | 11040 |
| 25 and 159 | 3975 |
| 138 and 25 | 3450 |
| 141 and 187 | 26367 |
| 197 and 180 | 35460 |