LCM( 31, 2387 ) = 2387
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
31 | 2387 |
Step 2 : Divide the given numbers by smallest prime number. In this example we can divide by 7.
(if any number is not divisible by 7, write it down unchanged)
7 | 31 | 2387 |
31 | 341 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
7 | 31 | 2387 |
11 | 31 | 341 |
31 | 31 | 31 |
1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 31, 2387 ) = 7 · 11 · 31 = 2387 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.