LCM( 6, 9, 42 ) = 126
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
6 = 2 · 3
9 = 3 · 3
42 = 2 · 3 · 7
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
6 | = | 2 | · | 3 | ||||
9 | = | 3 | · | 3 | ||||
42 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 7 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
6 | = | 2 | · | 3 | ||||||
9 | = | 3 | · | 3 | ||||||
42 | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 7 | ||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 7 | = | 126 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.