LCM( 51, 18 ) = 306
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
51 = 3 · 17
18 = 2 · 3 · 3
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
51 | = | 3 | · | 17 | ||||
18 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
51 | = | 3 | · | 17 | ||||||
18 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | ||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 17 | = | 306 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.