Examples
Example 1: Find the LCM of 15, 20 and 30.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 15: 15 = 3, 5
Prime factorization of 20: 20 = 2, 2, 5
Prime factorization of 30: 30 = 2, 3, 5
Take the highest power of each prime factor and multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(15, 20, 30) = 60.
Example 2: Find the LCM of 24, 40 and 60.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 24: 24 = 2, 2, 2, 3
Prime factorization of 40: 40 = 2, 2, 2, 5
Prime factorization of 60: 60 = 2, 2, 3, 5
Take the highest power of each prime factor and multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(24, 40, 60) = 120.
Example 3: Find the LCM of 3, 5 and 10.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 3: 3 = 3
Prime factorization of 5: 5 = 5
Prime factorization of 10: 10 = 2, 5
Take the highest power of each prime factor and multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(3, 5, 10) = 30.
Exercise
1. LCM(3,9,18) = 18
2. LCM(18,27,36) = 108
3. LCM(5,6,15) = 30
4. LCM(5,8,10) = 40
5. LCM(6,12,18) = 36
6. LCM(3,6,18) = 18
7. LCM(25,30,40) = 600
8. LCM(8,24,60) = 120
9. LCM(12,15,10) = 60
10. LCM(6,15,25) = 150