LCM( 406, 348, 256 ) = 155904
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
406 | 348 | 256 |
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 | 406 | 348 | 256 |
203 | 174 | 128 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 406 | 348 | 256 |
2 | 203 | 174 | 128 |
2 | 203 | 87 | 64 |
2 | 203 | 87 | 32 |
2 | 203 | 87 | 16 |
2 | 203 | 87 | 8 |
2 | 203 | 87 | 4 |
2 | 203 | 87 | 2 |
3 | 203 | 87 | 1 |
7 | 203 | 29 | 1 |
29 | 29 | 29 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 406, 348, 256 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 7 · 29 = 155904 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.