Question

whats the easiest way to find the lcm of three numbers?

Answer 1

If you give me three numbers I will tell you how I do it.

Answer 2

6,18,12

Answer 3

Do you know how to find prime factors?

6 = 2 * 3
18 = 2 * 3 * 3
12 = 2 * 2 * 3

Do you understand this so far?

Answer 4

yeah like a factor tree?

Answer 5

Yes... now I circle any number that they all have in common - so put a big circle around one 2 in each of the three

Answer 6

Now put one big circle around one 3 in each of the three numbers.

Answer 7

gotcha,

Answer 8

The circled numbers count once ... what I mean is
you have 1 (2) and 1(3) because they were circled and then you have 1 (2) and 1(3) that are not circled so you have

2 * 3 (the circled ones) * 2 * 3 (the uncircled ones)
36

Answer 9

ok thank you!