What is the Least Common Multiple of 120 and 138?

Least common multiple or lowest common denominator (lcd) can be calculated in two way; with the LCM formula calculation of greatest common factor (GCF), or multiplying the prime factors with the highest exponent factor.

Least Common Multiple of 120 and 138 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 120 and 138, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(120,138) = 6
LCM(120,138) = ( 120 × 138) / 6
LCM(120,138) = 16560 / 6
LCM(120,138) = 2760

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 120 and 138 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 120 and 138. First we will calculate the prime factors of 120 and 138.

Prime Factorization of 120

Prime Factorization of 138

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 120 and 138.

LCM(120,138) = 2³ × 3¹ × 5¹ × 23¹
LCM(120,138) = 2760