LCM( 72, 120, 1144 ) = 51480
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
72 | 120 | 1144 |
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 | 72 | 120 | 1144 |
36 | 60 | 572 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
2 | 72 | 120 | 1144 |
2 | 36 | 60 | 572 |
2 | 18 | 30 | 286 |
3 | 9 | 15 | 143 |
3 | 3 | 5 | 143 |
5 | 1 | 5 | 143 |
11 | 1 | 1 | 143 |
13 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 72, 120, 1144 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 5 · 11 · 13 = 51480 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.