LCM( 7, 8, 14 ) = 56
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
7 = 7
8 = 2 · 2 · 2
14 = 2 · 7
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
7 | = | 7 | ||||||
8 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||
14 | = | 2 | · | 7 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
7 | = | 7 | ||||||||
8 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||||
14 | = | 2 | · | 7 | ||||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 7 | = | 56 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.