What is the Least Common Multiple of 172 and 178?

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 172 and 178 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 172 and 178, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(172,178) = 2
LCM(172,178) = ( 172 × 178) / 2
LCM(172,178) = 30616 / 2
LCM(172,178) = 15308

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 172 and 178 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 172 and 178. First we will calculate the prime factors of 172 and 178.

Prime Factorization of 172

Prime Factorization of 178

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 172 and 178.

LCM(172,178) = 2² × 43¹ × 89¹
LCM(172,178) = 15308