LCM( 39, 78, 156 ) = 156
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
39 = 3 · 13
78 = 2 · 3 · 13
156 = 2 · 2 · 3 · 13
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
39 | = | 3 | · | 13 | ||||
78 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 13 | ||
156 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 13 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
39 | = | 3 | · | 13 | ||||||
78 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 13 | ||||
156 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 13 | ||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 13 | = | 156 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.