LCM( 460, 640, 680 ) = 250240
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
460 | 640 | 680 |
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 | 460 | 640 | 680 |
230 | 320 | 340 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 460 | 640 | 680 |
2 | 230 | 320 | 340 |
2 | 115 | 160 | 170 |
2 | 115 | 80 | 85 |
2 | 115 | 40 | 85 |
2 | 115 | 20 | 85 |
2 | 115 | 10 | 85 |
5 | 115 | 5 | 85 |
17 | 23 | 1 | 17 |
23 | 23 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 460, 640, 680 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 5 · 17 · 23 = 250240 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.