LCM( 9, 26, 36 ) = 468
Step 1: Write down factorisation of each number:
9 = 3 · 3
26 = 2 · 13
36 = 2 · 2 · 3 · 3
Step 2 : Match primes vertically:
9 | = | 3 | · | 3 | ||||||
26 | = | 2 | · | 13 | ||||||
36 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 |
Step 3 : Bring down numbers in each column and multiply to get LCM:
9 | = | 3 | · | 3 | ||||||||
26 | = | 2 | · | 13 | ||||||||
36 | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | ||||
LCM | = | 2 | · | 2 | · | 3 | · | 3 | · | 13 | = | 468 |
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.