Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The least common multiple (LCM) of two positive integers a and b is the smallest number that is a multiple of both. A function to compute the LCM requires a and b as inputs to perform the calculation (e.g., using the formula LCM(a, b) = (a * b) / GCD(a, b), where GCD is the greatest common divisor). According to foundational programming principles, the function’s inputs must include all values needed to compute the output.

Task Analysis:

Goal: Compute LCM of a and b.

Required inputs: The two integers a and b.

Output: The LCM (denoted as L in the question).

Option A: "L only." This is incorrect. L is the output (the LCM), not an input. The function needs a and b to calculate L.

Option B: "a * b." This is incorrect. The product a * b is used in the LCM formula (LCM = (a * b) / GCD(a, b)), but the function needs a and b separately to compute the GCD and then the LCM.

Option C: "a and L." This is incorrect. L is the output, not an input, and the function does not need L to compute itself.

Option D: "a and b." This is correct. The function requires the two integers a and b as inputs to compute their LCM. For example, in Python:

def lcm(a, b):

def gcd(x, y):

while y:

x, y = y, x % y

return x

return (a * b) // gcd(a, b)

Certiport Scripting and Programming Foundations Study Guide (Section on Functions and Parameters).

Cormen, T.H., et al., Introduction to Algorithms, 3rd Edition (Chapter 31: Number-Theoretic Algorithms).

GeeksforGeeks: “LCM of Two Numbers” (https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/lcm-of-two-numbers/).