What is the Least Common Multiple of 159 and 172?

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 159 and 172 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 159 and 172, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(159,172) = 1
LCM(159,172) = ( 159 × 172) / 1
LCM(159,172) = 27348 / 1
LCM(159,172) = 27348

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 159 and 172 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 159 and 172. First we will calculate the prime factors of 159 and 172.

Prime Factorization of 159

Prime Factorization of 172

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 159 and 172.

LCM(159,172) = 3¹ × 53¹ × 2² × 43¹
LCM(159,172) = 27348