What is the Least Common Multiple of 1986 and 1997?

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 1986 and 1997 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 1986 and 1997, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(1986,1997) = 1
LCM(1986,1997) = ( 1986 × 1997) / 1
LCM(1986,1997) = 3966042 / 1
LCM(1986,1997) = 3966042

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 1986 and 1997 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 1986 and 1997. First we will calculate the prime factors of 1986 and 1997.

Prime Factorization of 1986

Prime Factorization of 1997

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 1986 and 1997.

LCM(1986,1997) = 2¹ × 3¹ × 331¹ × 1997¹
LCM(1986,1997) = 3966042