wat is a least common multiple?
817509
The least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest number (not zero) that is a multiple of both.
1154468
make a common denominator\n\na/b - c/d = a*d/b*d - c*b/d*b = (a*d-c*b)/b*d
481134
Since 3, 7, and 8 don't have any common factors, the least common multiple is found by multiplying them together.\n3*7*8 = 168
1162826
Least common denominator is (x-3)(x+3).\n\n2/(x-3)(x+3) + 3*(x-3)/(x-3)(x+3)\n\n(2+3x-9)/(x-3)(x+3)\n\n(3x-7)/(x-3)(x+3).
8373
(([(4+4+4).(4+4)]+4)/4)*(4+4)\n\n(4+(4*4)).([(4+4+4).(4+4)]+4)
978114
find a common denominator.
958347
The top 2 terms have a in common; factor it out by Distributive Property: a(a+4)\n\nThe bottom 2 terms have b in common, do the same: b(a+4)\n\nNow as long as a doesn't equal -4, the (a+4) on top cancels the (a+4) on bottom, leaving a/b
460189
the answer is the lowest common multiple of 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9\n\nwhich is 2.2.2.3.3.5.7=2520
68296
To find the greatest common FACTOR, here is an example:\n\nFind the GCF of 36 and 54.\n\n    The factors of 36 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 36.\n\n    The factors of 54 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, 27, and 54.\n\n    The common factors of 36 and 54 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18\n\nAlthough the numbers in bold are all common factors of both 36 and 54, 18 is the greatest common factor.\n\nThe second method for finding the greatest common factor is to list the prime factors, then multiply the common prime factors. \n\n**************************************\nTo find the least common denominator:\n**************************************\n\nTo find the least common denominator, simply  list the multiples of each denominator (multiply by 2, 3, 4, etc.) then look for the  smallest number that appears in each list.\n\n    Example: Suppose we wanted to add 1/5 + 1/6 + 1/15. We would find the least common denominator as follows...\n\n        *\n\n          First we list the multiples of each denominator. \n\n        Multiples of 5 are 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,...\n\n        Multiples of 6 are 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48,...\n\n        Multiples of 15 are 30, 45, 60, 75, 90,.... \n\n        *\n\n          Now, when you look at the list of multiples, you can see that 30 is the smallest number that appears in each list.\n\n        *\n\n          Therefore, the least common denominator of 1/5, 1/6 and 1/15 is 30.\n\nThis method works pretty good. But, adding fractions with larger numbers in the denominators it can get pretty messy.\n\nSo hold that thought for a moment, as we look at another way to find a least common denominator for adding these same fractions.
91549
Give them all a common denominator and then it is easy to see which is biggest.  The least common denominator of 4, 3, 8, and 5 is 120.\n\nSo for 2/4, 4 goes into 120 30 times, so multiply top and bottom by 30.  2/4 = 60/120.  For 7/8, 8 goes into 120 15 times, so mutiply top and bottom by 15.  7/8 = 105/120.\n\nKeep going this way\n2/4 = 60/120\n1/4 = 30/120\n2/3 = 80/120\n7/8 = 105/120\n1/3 = 40/120\n3/5 = 72/120\n\nNow order from greatest to least\n\n105/120 > 80/120 > 72/120 > 60/120 > 40/120 > 30/120\n\nAnd put back to the original fractions\n\n7/8 > 2/3 > 3/5 > 2/4 > 1/3 > 1/4
140957
find ur LCD (least common denominator) which is (X+5)(3x-2)\n\nmultiply ur values on top by what their corresponding denominators dont have\n\n3/x+5 doesnt have 3x-2 in the denominator so u multiply 3 by 3x-2 = 9x-6\n\n3/3x-2 doesnt have x+5 in the denominator so u multiply 3 by x+5 = 3x+15\n\nyou can set those equal to each other cuz the denominators cross out... so u have 9x-6 = 3x+15\n\nfrom there i hope u know what to do\n\nthere is another way by cross multiplying but i think this way is kinda easier and well actually theyre basically the same thing\n\no well, hope this helped
1054365
Rational numbers have the special property that any rational number p/q is a rational multiple of any other rational number r/s.\n\np/q = (ps/rq) (r/s)\n\nThis property does not exist for integers, and hence we talk of least common multiple for integers, but not for rational numbers.
824298
The LCM is the lowest (or least) number which contains all of the prime factors contained in each of the given numbers, so you need to factor each number out:\n12 = 2 X 2 X 3\n20 = 2 X 2 X 5\n35 = 5 X 7\n\nSo you need 2, 2, 3, 5, and 7\n2 X 2 X 3 X 5 X 7 = 420\n\nIt's 420.  Smoke 'em if you got 'em!
320882
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8\n<---[======)--->
1087885
6 = 2*3\n9 = 3^2\n5 = 5\ncommon denominator = 2*3^2*5\n= 2*9*5 \n= 90\n90 is called the least common multiple (LCM) of 6, 9,and 5.
780468
The only thing I can come up with off the top of my head is that you can use least common factors to determine the lowest common denominator for adding/subtracting fractions.  For example, 2/15 + 5/36 ... the lowest common denominator is 3*5*3*2*2 = 180 (using the least common factors of 15 = 3*5 and 36 = 3*3*2*2).  Not terribly "real life" but a "real application" nonetheless.
818533
For LCM, keep dividing by common prime factor, starting from 2, throughout till you get 1 in the end.\nInitially 6, 15, 20\nDivide by 2: 3, 15, 10 (You can't divide 15 by 2, hence you leave it as it is.)\nDivide by 2: 3, 15, 5 (Similarly, you can't divide 3 by 2, hence you leave it as it is.)\nDivide by 3: 1, 5, 5\nDivide by 5: 1, 1, 1\nLCM = 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 = 60\n\nHope this helps :)