Examples
Example 1: Find the LCM of 12, 16 and 14.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 12: 12 = 2, 2, 3
Prime factorization of 16: 16 = 2, 2, 2, 2
Prime factorization of 14: 14 = 2, 7
Take the highest power of each prime factor and multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(12, 16, 14) = 336.
Example 2: Find the LCM of 24, 30 and 36.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 24: 24 = 2, 2, 2, 3
Prime factorization of 30: 30 = 2, 3, 5
Prime factorization of 36: 36 = 2, 2, 3, 3
Take the highest power of each prime factor and multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(24, 30, 36) = 360.
Example 3: Find the LCM of 4, 8 and 12.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 4: 4 = 2, 2
Prime factorization of 8: 8 = 2, 2, 2
Prime factorization of 12: 12 = 2, 2, 3
Take the highest power of each prime factor and multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(4, 8, 12) = 24.
Exercise
1. LCM(18,24,30) = 360
2. LCM(15,20,36) = 180
3. LCM(16,40,64) = 320
4. LCM(12,18,24) = 72
5. LCM(20,40,80) = 80
6. LCM(10,25,30) = 150
7. LCM(35,40,48) = 1680
8. LCM(48,72,90) = 720
9. LCM(60,100,120) = 600
10. LCM(6,12,15) = 60