Examples
Example 1: Find the LCM of 3, 7 and 14.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 3: 3 = 3
Prime factorization of 7: 7 = 7
Prime factorization of 14: 14 = 2, 7
Take the common factors once and remaining unique factors.
Multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(3, 7, 14) = 42.
Example 2: Find the LCM of 5, 9 and 18.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 5: 5 = 5
Prime factorization of 9: 9 = 3, 3
Prime factorization of 18: 18 = 2, 3, 3
Take the common factors once and remaining unique factors.
Multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(5, 9, 18) = 90.
Example 3: Find the LCM of 10, 18 and 20.
Solution:
Prime factorization of 10: 10 = 2, 5
Prime factorization of 18: 18 = 2, 3, 3
Prime factorization of 20: 20 = 2, 2, 5
Take the common factors once and remaining unique factors.
Multiply them together to get LCM.
Therefore, LCM(10, 18, 20) = 180.
Exercise
1. LCM(12,18,24) = 72
2. LCM(15,20,25) = 300
3. LCM(8,12,16) = 48
4. LCM(8,12,30) = 120
5. LCM(6,12,15) = 60
6. LCM(4,24,21) = 168
7. LCM(2,14,32) = 224
8. LCM(3,13,33) = 429
9. LCM(3,6,9) = 18
10. LCM(4,7,14) = 28