LCM( 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 ) = 72
Step 1 : Place the numbers inside division bar:
3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
Step 2 : Find a prime number which can divide at least two of your numbers.
In this example we can divide by 3. If any number is not divisible by 3 write it down unchanged.
3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Step 3 : Repeat Step 2 until you can no longer divide.
3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Since there are no primes that divides at least two of given numbers, we conclude that the LCM is a product of starting numbers.
LCM = 3 · 6 · 12 · 18 · 24 = 72