LCM( 230, 160, 280 ) = 25760
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
230 | 160 | 280 |
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 | 230 | 160 | 280 |
115 | 80 | 140 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 230 | 160 | 280 |
2 | 115 | 80 | 140 |
2 | 115 | 40 | 70 |
2 | 115 | 20 | 35 |
2 | 115 | 10 | 35 |
5 | 115 | 5 | 35 |
7 | 23 | 1 | 7 |
23 | 23 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 230, 160, 280 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 5 · 7 · 23 = 25760 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.