What is the Least Common Multiple of 3 and 7?
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 (LCM) of 3 and 7 is 21.
LCM(3,7) = 21
Least Common Multiple of 3 and 7 with GCF Formula
The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 3 and 7, than apply into the LCM equation.
GCF(3,7) = 1
LCM(3,7) = ( 3 × 7) / 1
LCM(3,7) = 21 / 1
LCM(3,7) = 21
Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 3 and 7 with Primes
Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 3 and 7. First we will calculate the prime factors of 3 and 7.
Prime Factorization of 3
Prime factors of 3 are 3. Prime factorization of 3 in exponential form is:
3 = 31
Prime Factorization of 7
Prime factors of 7 are 7. Prime factorization of 7 in exponential form is:
7 = 71
Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 3 and 7.
LCM(3,7) = 31 × 71
LCM(3,7) = 21