What is the Least Common Multiple of 31 and 38?
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 31 and 38 is 1178.
LCM(31,38) = 1178
Least Common Multiple of 31 and 38 with GCF Formula
The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 31 and 38, than apply into the LCM equation.
GCF(31,38) = 1
LCM(31,38) = ( 31 × 38) / 1
LCM(31,38) = 1178 / 1
LCM(31,38) = 1178
Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 31 and 38 with Primes
Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 31 and 38. First we will calculate the prime factors of 31 and 38.
Prime Factorization of 31
Prime factors of 31 are 31. Prime factorization of 31 in exponential form is:
31 = 311
Prime Factorization of 38
Prime factors of 38 are 2, 19. Prime factorization of 38 in exponential form is:
38 = 21 × 191
Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 31 and 38.
LCM(31,38) = 311 × 21 × 191
LCM(31,38) = 1178