LCM( 22, 35, 42 ) = 2310
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
| 22 | 35 | 42 |
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 | 22 | 35 | 42 |
| 11 | 35 | 21 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
| 2 | 22 | 35 | 42 |
| 3 | 11 | 35 | 21 |
| 5 | 11 | 35 | 7 |
| 7 | 11 | 7 | 7 |
| 11 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 22, 35, 42 ) = 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 11 = 2310 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.