LCM of 120 and 261
10440 is the LCM of 120 and 261. The step-by-step solution using prime factors and special division methods is one of the simple methods to easily understand how to find what is the LCM of 120 and 261, provided along with the use cases of mathematics and real-world problems.
what is the lcm of 120 and 261?
lcm (120 261) = (?)
120 => 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 5
261 => 3 x 3 x 29
= 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 3 x 29
= 10440
lcm (120 and 261) = 10440
10440 is the LCM of 120 and 261.
where,
120 is a positive integer,
261 is a positive integer,
10440 is the LCM of 120 and 261,
{3} in {2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 5, 3 x 3 x 29} is the common factors of 120 and 261,
{2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 3 x 29} in {2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 5, 3 x 3 x 29} are the uncommon factors of 120 and 261.
Use in Mathematics: LCM of 120 and 261
The below are some of the mathematical applications where lcm of 120 and 261 can be used:
- to find the least number which is exactly divisible by 120 and 261.
- to find the common denominator for two fractions having 120 and 261 as denominators in the unlike fractions addition or subtraction.
In the context of lcm real world problems, the lcm of 120 and 261 helps to find the exact time when two similar and recurring events with different time schedule happens together at the same time. For example, the real world problems involve lcm in situations to find at what time the bells A and B all toll together, if bell A tolls at 120 seconds and bell B tolls at 261 seconds repeatedly. The answer is that all bells A and B toll together at 10440 seconds for the first time, at 20880 seconds for the second time, at 31320 seconds for the third time and so on.
Important Notes: 120 and 261 lcm
The below are the important notes to be remembered while solving the lcm of 120 and 261:
- The common prime factors and the remaining prime factors of 120 and 261 should be multiplied to find the least common multiple of 120 and 261, when solving lcm by using prime factors method.
- The results of lcm of 120 and 261, and the lcm of 261 and 120 are identical, it means the order of given numbers in the lcm calculation doesn't affect the results.
How-to: What is the LCM of 120 and 261?
The below solved example with step by step work shows how to find what is the lcm of 120 and 261 by using prime factors method and division method.
Solved example using prime factors method:
What is the LCM of 120 and 261?
step 1
Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
A = 120
B = 261
What to be found:
find the lcm of 120 and 261
step 2 Find the prime factors of 120 and 261:
Prime factors of 120 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 5
Prime factors of 261 = 3 x 3 x 29
step 3 Identify the repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 120 and 261:
{3} is the most repeated factor and {2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 3 x 29} are the non-repeated factors of 120 and 261.
step 4 Find the product of repeated and non-repeated prime factors of 120 and 261:
= 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 3 x 29
= 10440
lcm(120 and 261) = 10440
Hence,
lcm of 120 and 261 is 10440
This special division method is one of the easiest ways to understand the entire calculation to find the LCM of 120 and 261.
step 1 Address the input parameters, values and observe what to be found:
Input parameters and values:
Integers: 120 and 261
What to be found:
lcm (120, 261) = ?
step 2 Arrange the given integers in the horizontal form with space or comma separated format:
120 and 261
step 3 Choose the divisor which divides each or most of the given integers (120 and 261), divide each integers separately and write down the quotient in the next line right under the respective integers. Bring down the integer to the next line if any integer in 120 and 261 is not divisible by the selected divisor; repeat the same process until all the integers are brought to 1 as like below:
| 2 | 120 | 261 |
| 2 | 60 | 261 |
| 2 | 30 | 261 |
| 3 | 15 | 261 |
| 3 | 5 | 87 |
| 5 | 5 | 29 |
| 29 | 1 | 29 |
| 1 | 1 |
step 4 Multiply the divisors to find the lcm of 120 and 261:
= 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5 x 29
= 10440
LCM(120, 261) = 10440
The LCM of two numbers 120 and 261 is 10440