Finding the Least Common Multiple

This video tutorial explains how to find the least common multiple (LCM) of monomials. It covers four examples, demonstrating the process of finding the LCM of numerical coefficients and variables by selecting the highest exponent for each variable. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of including all variables present in any monomial when calculating the LCM.

What is the first step in finding the least common multiple of monomials?

• Identify the greatest common factor

• Find the least common multiple of the numerical parts

• Add the coefficients

• Subtract the exponents

In Example 1, what is the least common multiple of the numbers 4 and 6?

• 8

• 10

• 14

• 12

How do you determine the LCM of variables with different exponents?

• Take the smaller exponent

• Subtract the exponents

• Add the exponents

• Take the larger exponent

What is the LCM of x^2 and x^3?

• x^6

• x^5

• x^2

• x^3

In Example 2, what is the LCM of the numbers 5 and 10?

• 20

• 15

• 10

• 5

For the variables a^4 and a^2, what is the LCM?

• a^4

• a^6

• a^3

• a^2

If a variable appears in one monomial but not the other, what should you do?

• Ignore it

• Include it in the LCM

• Subtract it from the LCM

• Multiply it by zero

In Example 3, what is the LCM of the numbers 8 and 12?

• 24

• 20

• 16

• 28

What is the LCM of m^6 and m^8?

• m^9

• m^8

• m^7

• m^6

For n^3 and n^4, what is the LCM?

• n^6

• n^5

• n^4

• n^3