LCM( 8, 16, 32 ) = 32
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
8 = 2 · 2 · 2
16 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2
32 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
8 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||||
16 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||
32 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
8 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||||||
16 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||||
32 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | ||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | · | 2 | = | 32 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.