What is the Least Common Multiple of 972 and 978?

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 972 and 978 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 972 and 978, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(972,978) = 6
LCM(972,978) = ( 972 × 978) / 6
LCM(972,978) = 950616 / 6
LCM(972,978) = 158436

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 972 and 978 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 972 and 978. First we will calculate the prime factors of 972 and 978.

Prime Factorization of 972

Prime Factorization of 978

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 972 and 978.

LCM(972,978) = 2² × 3⁵ × 163¹
LCM(972,978) = 158436