Problem

Find the least common multiple (LCM) of the expressions 15x2y, 5xy2, and 30x3y2.

Answer

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Answer

Finally, multiply these highest powers together to get the least common multiple. The LCM is 235xxxyy=30x3y2.

Steps

Step 1 :First, decompose each expression into its prime factors. 15x2y=35xxy, 5xy2=5xyy, and 30x3y2=235xxxyy.

Step 2 :Then, for each factor, take the highest power that appears in any of the factorizations. Here, the factors are 2, 3, 5, x, and y. The highest powers are 21, 31, 51, x3, and y2.

Step 3 :Finally, multiply these highest powers together to get the least common multiple. The LCM is 235xxxyy=30x3y2.

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