Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 72 and 38
The least common multiple (LCM) of 72 and 38 is 1368.
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 38?
First, calculate the GCD of 72 and 38 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 72 ÷ 38 = 1 remainder 34 |
| 2 | 38 ÷ 34 = 1 remainder 4 |
| 3 | 34 ÷ 4 = 8 remainder 2 |
| 4 | 4 ÷ 2 = 2 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 45 and 81 | 405 |
| 146 and 89 | 12994 |
| 105 and 114 | 3990 |
| 172 and 87 | 14964 |
| 100 and 137 | 13700 |