Find Least Common Multiple of 36, 48 and 42 using ladder method..

LCM( 36, 48, 42 ) = 1008

Step 1 : Place the numbers inside division bar:

Step 2 : Find a prime number which can divide at least two of your numbers.

In this example we can divide by 2. If any number is not divisible by 2 write it down unchanged.

Step 3 : Repeat Step 2 until you can no longer divide.

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 = 36 · 48 · 42 = 1008

This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.

The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.