What is the least common denominator for the rational expressions 1⁄(x^2-5x-6) and 1⁄(x^2-12x+36) ? show your work.

Question

What is the least common denominator for the rational expressions 1⁄(x²-5x-6) and 1⁄(x²-12x+36) ? show your work.

Answer 1

To find the LCD you have to factor the denominators as a first step.

(x-6)(x+1) is the first

(x-6)(x-6) is the second.

Now, to build the LCD. Since there is (x-6) in both of them, we write that once.

(x-6) If there are no more common, the other 2 need to also be included as well for the final LCD:

(x-6)(x-6)(x+1)