Examples
Example 1: Find the LCM of 12 and 8.
Solution:
Prime factors of 12 = 2, 2, 3
Prime factors of 8 = 2, 2, 2
Write these prime factors into the venn diagram for each number.
Multiply each prime factor in the venn diagram to find the LCM.
Therefore, LCM(12, 8) = 24.
Example 2: Find the LCM of 18 and 24.
Solution:
Prime factors of 18 = 2, 3, 3
Prime factors of 24 = 2, 2, 2, 3
Write these prime factors into the venn diagram for each number.
Multiply each prime factor in the venn diagram to find the LCM.
Therefore, LCM(18, 24) = 72.
Example 3: Find the LCM of 10 and 25.
Solution:
Prime factors of 10 = 2, 5
Prime factors of 25 = 5, 5
Write these prime factors into the venn diagram for each number.
Multiply each prime factor in the venn diagram to find the LCM.
Therefore, LCM(10, 25) = 50.
Exercise
1. LCM(12,18) = 36
2. LCM(11,22) = 22
3. LCM(18,24) = 72
4. LCM(30,40) = 120
5. LCM(6, 15) = 30
6. LCM(24, 36) = 72
7. LCM(9, 12) = 36
8. LCM(16, 40) = 80
9. LCM(4, 5) = 20
10. LCM(8, 10) = 40