LCM( 12, 14, 15 ) = 420
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
12 = 2 · 2 · 3
14 = 2 · 7
15 = 3 · 5
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
12 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||||
14 | = | 2 | · | 7 | ||||||
15 | = | 3 | · | 5 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
12 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||||||
14 | = | 2 | · | 7 | ||||||||
15 | = | 3 | · | 5 | ||||||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 5 | · | 7 | = | 420 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.