Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 72 and 40
The least common multiple (LCM) of 72 and 40 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 40?
First, calculate the GCD of 72 and 40 using the Euclidean algorithm. Then use the formula above to find the LCM.
Step-by-Step GCD Calculation
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 72 ÷ 40 = 1 remainder 32 |
| 2 | 40 ÷ 32 = 1 remainder 8 |
| 3 | 32 ÷ 8 = 4 remainder 0 |
Examples of LCM Calculations
| Numbers | LCM |
|---|---|
| 158 and 58 | 4582 |
| 180 and 195 | 2340 |
| 179 and 45 | 8055 |
| 142 and 21 | 2982 |
| 50 and 29 | 1450 |