Even if you’ve never heard of a least common denominator (LCD) before, you’ve undoubtedly tried to find it. If not consciously, you’ve done so by being clever about the number you used to factor out as you combined graphs. After all, combining graphs was always a problem if the denominators weren’t the same. Well, why did those common denominators always come to be? The answer is elementary! So what is this thing, commonly known as “least common denominator”? How is it found? I hope to show you that it’s both valuable and pretty simple. Notice, please, that I said “simple”, not “easy”! It is easy enough but requires technique.

I’m a mathematician, so we’ll use some math language here. That means we’ll be brief, use some algebra ideas, and offer real solutions. I don’t mean to “beef up” the subject matter, only tell you basic things. Still, if you’re averse to algebra, or to following sometimes cryptic but densely packed power lines of argument, you are going to have to adapt some of the details to your study routine. Just brush up on those algebra skills, okay? We are going to discover enough in the operation of the least common denominator to make studying LCD seem worthwhile. If you believe in that, even a little, you are likely to be thereby inspired to explore the area further. And a bit of thorough digging in your newfound gem mine could harbor extraordinary results, possibly setting off a chain of discoveries of epic proportions.