LCM( 172, 426 ) = 36636
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
172 = 2 · 2 · 43
426 = 2 · 3 · 71
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
172 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 43 | ||||
426 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 71 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
172 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 43 | ||||||
426 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 71 | ||||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 43 | · | 71 | = | 36636 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.