Talk:Least common multiple/Student Level

Article Checklist for "Least common multiple/Student Level"

Workgroup category or categories	Mathematics Workgroup [Categories OK]
Article status	Developed article: complete or nearly so
Underlinked article?	Yes
Basic cleanup done?	Yes
Checklist last edited by	David Martin 18:13, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

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Excellent article in progress! Anyone have any comments to make? I wouldn't be surprised if this goes up for approval quickly. - Greg Martin 23:54, 13 May 2007 (CDT)

Thank you.

I think more should be added before approval. Maybe some stuff about polynomials, some more applications, some things about somewhat abstract number theory... Michael Hardy 13:43, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

I'd be happy to write up a section on finding the least common multiple of polynomials. I'm actually teaching this section right now so it's fresh in my mind. I'll get on it today David Martin 13:17, 15 May 2007 (CDT)

Cancelling before multiplying

Nice, easy-to-read article.

Where it says "Note: Always cancel before multiplying." I would suggest something gentler such as "Note: The arithmetic is simpler if you cancel before multiplying," since if you multiply first and then cancel you will still get the right answer. --Catherine Woodgold 20:35, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

Simplicity of arithmetic in problems of this sort is not the only reason to cancel before multiplying. I stopped short of prescribing euthanasia for those who continue to miss this point in doing routine sorts of algebra. I'm inclined to expand on the evils of multiplying before cancelling. More later.... Michael Hardy 21:06, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

A suggestion

As a high school math teacher, I have to teach this concept all the time. My first suggestion would be to use smaller numbers in the example for the prime factorization method. It's hard to comprehend with such large numbers and so many prime factors. Maybe use 4 and 18. Then, offer a second example using larger numbers. This makes it much more accessible to the common reader.

Also, format the prime factors like so:

${04}={2}\times {2}$

${18}={2}\times$______${3}\times {3}$

     $={2}\times {2}\times {3}\times {3}={36}$

Then you just have to bring down one of each factor per column.

If you were to add a third number to the mix, it'd look like:

${04}={2}\times {2}$

${10}={2}\times$______________$\times {5}$

${18}={2}\times$______${3}\times {3}$

     $={2}\times {2}\times {3}\times {3}\times {5}={180}$

Is this too teacherish for the an article entry? David Martin 13:15, 15 May 2007 (CDT)