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What is the Least Common Multiple of 3 and 16?

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 3 and 16 is 48.

LCM(3,16) = 48

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Least Common Multiple of 3 and 16 with GCF Formula

The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 3 and 16, than apply into the LCM equation.

GCF(3,16) = 1
LCM(3,16) = ( 3 × 16) / 1
LCM(3,16) = 48 / 1
LCM(3,16) = 48

Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 3 and 16 with Primes

Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 3 and 16. First we will calculate the prime factors of 3 and 16.

Prime Factorization of 3

Prime factors of 3 are 3. Prime factorization of 3 in exponential form is:

3 = 31

Prime Factorization of 16

Prime factors of 16 are 2. Prime factorization of 16 in exponential form is:

16 = 24

Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 3 and 16.

LCM(3,16) = 31 × 24
LCM(3,16) = 48