Find Least Common Multiple of 36, 72 and 180 using prime factorisation method.
Answer
LCM( 36, 72, 180 ) = 360
Explanation
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
36 = 2 · 2 · 3 · 3
72 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3
180 = 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 5
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
| 36 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | ||||
| 72 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | ||
| 180 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 5 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
| 36 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | ||||||
| 72 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | ||||
| 180 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 5 | ||||
| LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 5 | = | 360 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.
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