LCM( 280, 320, 400 ) = 11200
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
280 | 320 | 400 |
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 | 280 | 320 | 400 |
140 | 160 | 200 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 280 | 320 | 400 |
2 | 140 | 160 | 200 |
2 | 70 | 80 | 100 |
2 | 35 | 40 | 50 |
2 | 35 | 20 | 25 |
2 | 35 | 10 | 25 |
5 | 35 | 5 | 25 |
5 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
7 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 280, 320, 400 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 5 · 5 · 7 = 11200 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.