Final answer:
The least common multiple of 12 and 9 is 36, which is the smallest number that is a multiple of both 12 and 9.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the least common multiple (LCM) of 12 and 9. The LCM of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both numbers. To find the LCM, you can list the multiples of each number until you find the smallest common multiple.
- Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, ...
- Multiples of 9: 9, 18, 27, 36, ...
As you can see from the lists, the smallest number that appears in both lists is 36. Therefore, the LCM of 12 and 9 is 36. The correct answer from the provided options is D. 36.