LCM( 53, 86 ) = 4558
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
53 | 86 |
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 | 53 | 86 |
53 | 43 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 53 | 86 |
43 | 53 | 43 |
53 | 53 | 1 |
1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 53, 86 ) = 2 · 43 · 53 = 4558 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.