What is the Least Common Multiple of 36 and 40?
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 36 and 40 is 360.
LCM(36,40) = 360
Least Common Multiple of 36 and 40 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 40, than apply into the LCM equation.
GCF(36,40) = 4
LCM(36,40) = ( 36 × 40) / 4
LCM(36,40) = 1440 / 4
LCM(36,40) = 360
Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 36 and 40 with Primes
Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 36 and 40. First we will calculate the prime factors of 36 and 40.
Prime Factorization of 36
Prime factors of 36 are 2, 3. Prime factorization of 36 in exponential form is:
36 = 22 × 32
Prime Factorization of 40
Prime factors of 40 are 2, 5. Prime factorization of 40 in exponential form is:
40 = 23 × 51
Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 36 and 40.
LCM(36,40) = 23 × 32 × 51
LCM(36,40) = 360