I need help finding the LCM for:
2x² + 5x + 2,2x² - x - 1
Factor them both
(x + 2)(2x + 1), (2x + 1)(x - 1)
To find the LCM
1. Write the first expression
(x + 2)(2x + 1)
2. Look at the next expression and ask yourself:
Does the second expression contain any factor
which does not appear in what you just wrote down?
If the answer is yes, then tack it on.
In this case, the expression (x - 1) is not
included, so we tack that on and get
(x + 2)(3x + 1)(x - 1)
3. If there are more than 2 expressions repeat
step 2.
There are no more expresions, so the answer is
LCM = (x + 2)(3x + 1)(x - 1)
Edwin
AnlytcPhil@aol.com
