What is the Least Common Multiple of 9 and 42?
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 9 and 42 is 126.
LCM(9,42) = 126
Least Common Multiple of 9 and 42 with GCF Formula
The formula of LCM is LCM(a,b) = ( a × b) / GCF(a,b).
We need to calculate greatest common factor 9 and 42, than apply into the LCM equation.
GCF(9,42) = 3
LCM(9,42) = ( 9 × 42) / 3
LCM(9,42) = 378 / 3
LCM(9,42) = 126
Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 9 and 42 with Primes
Least common multiple can be found by multiplying the highest exponent prime factors of 9 and 42. First we will calculate the prime factors of 9 and 42.
Prime Factorization of 9
Prime factors of 9 are 3. Prime factorization of 9 in exponential form is:
9 = 32
Prime Factorization of 42
Prime factors of 42 are 2, 3, 7. Prime factorization of 42 in exponential form is:
42 = 21 × 31 × 71
Now multiplying the highest exponent prime factors to calculate the LCM of 9 and 42.
LCM(9,42) = 32 × 21 × 71
LCM(9,42) = 126