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