LCM( 9, 12, 15 ) = 180
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
9 = 3 · 3
12 = 2 · 2 · 3
15 = 3 · 5
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
9 | = | 3 | · | 3 | ||||||
12 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||||
15 | = | 3 | · | 5 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
9 | = | 3 | · | 3 | ||||||||
12 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | ||||||
15 | = | 3 | · | 5 | ||||||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 5 | = | 180 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.