What is the Least Common Multiple of 48 and 120?

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 48 and 120 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 48 and 120, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(48,120) = 24
LCM(48,120) = ( 48 × 120) / 24
LCM(48,120) = 5760 / 24
LCM(48,120) = 240

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 48 and 120 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 48 and 120. First we will calculate the prime factors of 48 and 120.

Prime Factorization of 48

Prime Factorization of 120

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 48 and 120.

LCM(48,120) = 2⁴ × 3¹ × 5¹
LCM(48,120) = 240