Example: 3x4y2 and 9x3y5
Treat the whole numbers normally. The LCM of 3 and 9 is 9. Choose the highest value of the variables. In this case, the LCM is 9x4y5
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For the greatest common factor, you check which variables appear in each of the expressions. In the case of exponents, you take the lowest exponent for each variable. For the least common multiple, you take each variable, whether it appears in all of the expressions involved, or only in some of them. In the case of the exponents, you take the greatest exponent for each variable. If there are numeric coefficients (numbers as products), you take either the gcf or the lcm of those in the usual way.
1. Factor all possible parts 2. split the denominator 3. cross out 4. add like termms 5. simplify 6. done 7. math sucks
18 in pime exponents is 2*32 24 in prime exponents is 23*3 LCM: 23*32 = 72
LCM(a2b5, a3b3) The LCM of both numbers HAS to have the largest coefficient of both variables. For a, it's a3, and for b it is b5. So the LCM is a3b5.