LCM( 3296, 3984 ) = 820704
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
| 3296 | 3984 |
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 | 3296 | 3984 |
| 1648 | 1992 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
| 2 | 3296 | 3984 |
| 2 | 1648 | 1992 |
| 2 | 824 | 996 |
| 2 | 412 | 498 |
| 2 | 206 | 249 |
| 3 | 103 | 249 |
| 83 | 103 | 83 |
| 103 | 103 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 3296, 3984 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 83 · 103 = 820704 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.