LCM( 1296, 2520 ) = 45360
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
| 1296 | 2520 |
Step 2 : Divide the given numbers by smallest prime number. In this example we can divide by 2.
(if any number is not divisible by 2, write it down unchanged)
| 2 | 1296 | 2520 |
| 648 | 1260 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
| 2 | 1296 | 2520 |
| 2 | 648 | 1260 |
| 2 | 324 | 630 |
| 2 | 162 | 315 |
| 3 | 81 | 315 |
| 3 | 27 | 105 |
| 3 | 9 | 35 |
| 3 | 3 | 35 |
| 5 | 1 | 35 |
| 7 | 1 | 7 |
| 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 1296, 2520 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 3 · 3 · 5 · 7 = 45360 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.