LCM( 260, 320, 80 ) = 4160
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
260 | 320 | 80 |
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 | 260 | 320 | 80 |
130 | 160 | 40 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 260 | 320 | 80 |
2 | 130 | 160 | 40 |
2 | 65 | 80 | 20 |
2 | 65 | 40 | 10 |
2 | 65 | 20 | 5 |
2 | 65 | 10 | 5 |
5 | 65 | 5 | 5 |
13 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 260, 320, 80 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 5 · 13 = 4160 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.