LCM( 102, 136, 170 ) = 2040
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
102 | 136 | 170 |
Step 2 : Divide the given numbers by smallest prime number. In this example we can divide by 2.
(if any number is not divisible by 2, write it down unchanged)
2 | 102 | 136 | 170 |
51 | 68 | 85 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 102 | 136 | 170 |
2 | 51 | 68 | 85 |
2 | 51 | 34 | 85 |
3 | 51 | 17 | 85 |
5 | 17 | 17 | 85 |
17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 102, 136, 170 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 17 = 2040 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.