LCM( 260, 365, 485540 ) = 460777460
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
| 260 | 365 | 485540 |
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 | 260 | 365 | 485540 |
| 130 | 365 | 242770 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
| 2 | 260 | 365 | 485540 |
| 2 | 130 | 365 | 242770 |
| 5 | 65 | 365 | 121385 |
| 11 | 13 | 73 | 24277 |
| 13 | 13 | 73 | 2207 |
| 73 | 1 | 73 | 2207 |
| 2207 | 1 | 1 | 2207 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 260, 365, 485540 ) = 2 · 2 · 5 · 11 · 13 · 73 · 2207 = 460777460 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.