LCM( 24, 3, 6 ) = 24
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
24 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3
3 = 3
6 = 2 · 3
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
24 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 |
3 | = | 3 | ||||||
6 | = | 2 | · | 3 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
24 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||
3 | = | 3 | ||||||||
6 | = | 2 | · | 3 | ||||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | = | 24 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.