Question

Find the LCM of each set of polynomials. If needed, show work and explain.
19. x^2 - y^2, x^3 + x^2 y

Answer 1

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=lcm+of+x^2+-+y^2%2C+x^3+%2B+x^2y

Answer 2

What would the answer be clicking the following link to wolframalpha???

Answer 3

the first one factors as \((x+y)(x-y)\) and the second one factors as \(x^2(x+y)\)

Answer 4

so the lcm is
\[x^2(x+y)(x-y)\]

Answer 5

@satellite73 Thanks! Bro! :D

Answer 6

@phi Why wouldn't it be x^2(x + y) (x + y) (x - y)

Answer 7

@robtobey

Answer 8

your version x^2(x + y) (x + y) (x - y)
can be divided by both x^2 - y^2, and by x^3 + x^2 y
That means your answer is a multiple of those two expressions

however, notice if we take out (x+y) from your answer
x^2(x + y) (x - y)

both x^2 - y^2, and x^3 + x^2 y still divide into it.
your answer is not the *least*.