LCM( 10, 17, 85 ) = 170
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
10 = 2 · 5
17 = 17
85 = 5 · 17
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
10 | = | 2 | · | 5 | ||
17 | = | 17 | ||||
85 | = | 5 | · | 17 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
10 | = | 2 | · | 5 | ||||
17 | = | 17 | ||||||
85 | = | 5 | · | 17 | ||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 5 | · | 17 | = | 170 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.