What is the Least Common Multiple of 3 and 17?
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 17 is 51.
LCM(3,17) = 51
Least Common Multiple of 3 and 17 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 17, than apply into the LCM equation.
GCF(3,17) = 1
LCM(3,17) = ( 3 × 17) / 1
LCM(3,17) = 51 / 1
LCM(3,17) = 51
Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 3 and 17 with Primes
Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 3 and 17. First we will calculate the prime factors of 3 and 17.
Prime Factorization of 3
Prime factors of 3 are 3. Prime factorization of 3 in exponential form is:
3 = 31
Prime Factorization of 17
Prime factors of 17 are 17. Prime factorization of 17 in exponential form is:
17 = 171
Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 3 and 17.
LCM(3,17) = 31 × 171
LCM(3,17) = 51