How do you find the LCM of #x^8- 12x^7 +36x^6, 3x^2- 108# and #7x+ 42#?

1 Answer
Dec 26, 2016

The LCM is:

#21x^9-126x^8-756x^7+4536x^6#

Explanation:

For this question, it's probably easiest to factor all of the polynomials first:

#x^8-12x^7+36x^6 = x^6(x^2-12x+36) = x^6(x-6)^2#

#3x^2-108 = 3(x^2-36) = 3(x-6)(x+6)#

#7x+42 = 7(x+6)#

So the LCM of the scalar factors is that of #1#, #3# and #7#, which is #21#

The simplest product of polynomial factors including all of the linear factors we have found, in their multiplicities is:

#x^6(x-6)^2(x+6) = x^6(x-6)(x^2-36)#

#color(white)(x^6(x-6)^2(x+6)) = x^6(x^3-6x^2-36x+216)#

#color(white)(x^6(x-6)^2(x+6)) = x^9-6x^8-36x^7+216x^6#

So to get the LCM of the original polynomials, we just need to multiply this by #21#:

#21(x^9-6x^8-36x^7+216x^6) = 21x^9-126x^8-756x^7+4536x^6#