LCM( 66, 104, 156 ) = 3432
Step 1 : Write the given numbers in a horizontal line.
| 66 | 104 | 156 |
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 | 66 | 104 | 156 |
| 33 | 52 | 78 |
Step 3 : Continue dividing by prime numbers till we get 1 in all columns.
| 2 | 66 | 104 | 156 |
| 2 | 33 | 52 | 78 |
| 2 | 33 | 26 | 39 |
| 3 | 33 | 13 | 39 |
| 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
| 13 | 1 | 13 | 13 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
Step 4 : Multiply numbers in first column to get LCM.
LCM( 66, 104, 156 ) = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 11 · 13 = 3432 .
This solution can be visualized using a Venn diagram.
The LCM is equal to the product of all the numbers on the diagram.