What is the Least Common Multiple of 16 and 686?

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 16 and 686 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 16 and 686, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(16,686) = 2
LCM(16,686) = ( 16 × 686) / 2
LCM(16,686) = 10976 / 2
LCM(16,686) = 5488

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 16 and 686 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 16 and 686. First we will calculate the prime factors of 16 and 686.

Prime Factorization of 16

Prime Factorization of 686

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 16 and 686.

LCM(16,686) = 2⁴ × 7³
LCM(16,686) = 5488