What is the Least Common Multiple of 36 and 240?

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 36 and 240 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 36 and 240, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(36,240) = 12
LCM(36,240) = ( 36 × 240) / 12
LCM(36,240) = 8640 / 12
LCM(36,240) = 720

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 36 and 240 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 36 and 240. First we will calculate the prime factors of 36 and 240.

Prime Factorization of 36

Prime Factorization of 240

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 36 and 240.

LCM(36,240) = 2⁴ × 3² × 5¹
LCM(36,240) = 720