What is the Least Common Multiple of 162 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 162 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 162 and 172, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(162,172) = 2
LCM(162,172) = ( 162 × 172) / 2
LCM(162,172) = 27864 / 2
LCM(162,172) = 13932

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 162 and 172 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 162 and 172. First we will calculate the prime factors of 162 and 172.

Prime Factorization of 162

Prime Factorization of 172

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 162 and 172.

LCM(162,172) = 2² × 3⁴ × 43¹
LCM(162,172) = 13932