LCM( 18, 32, 4 ) = 288
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
18 | 32 | 4 |
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 | 18 | 32 | 4 |
9 | 16 | 2 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 18 | 32 | 4 |
2 | 9 | 16 | 2 |
2 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
2 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
2 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
3 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 18, 32, 4 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 = 288 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.