LCM( 48, 23 ) = 1104
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
48 | 23 |
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 | 48 | 23 |
24 | 23 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 48 | 23 |
2 | 24 | 23 |
2 | 12 | 23 |
2 | 6 | 23 |
3 | 3 | 23 |
23 | 1 | 23 |
1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 48, 23 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 23 = 1104 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.