Question

Find the error & explain why it is wrong:

Megan had to simplify the expression below. What did she do wrong?
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
3
x² - 25
3
2
(x+5)(x - 5) x+5
3
(x + 5)(x - 5)
3
(x+5)(x+5)
2
x + 5
2
(x + 5)
x+5 (x+5)
.
2x + 10
(x+5)(x+5)
-2x - 7
(x + 5)(x + 5)
Factor the Denominators
Create Common Denominators
Distribute the Numerator
Combine like terms and simplify

Answer 1

Megan made an error in distributing the 3 to both terms in Step D of simplifying the expression (x+5)(x-5).

Step-by-step explanation:

Megan made an error in Step D of simplifying the expression. The correct step should be to distribute the 3 to each term inside the parenthesis.

1. Step A: Megan correctly factored the expression (x+5)(x-5), which is a difference of squares.

2. Step B: Megan correctly simplified 3/(x+5) to 3.

3. Step C: Megan correctly simplified (x-5)/(x+5) to 1.

4. Step D: Megan incorrectly distributed the 3 to only one term of (x+5)(x-5), which should be distributed to both terms.

The correct simplified expression is 3(x+5)(x-5).