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The image shows the rational equation from part A with an incorrect solution process that a student performed. Explain the error the student made, and give the correct solution.

[tex]\[
\begin{aligned}
\frac{x}{x-2}+\frac{1}{x-6} & =\frac{4}{x^2-8x+12} \\
\frac{x}{x-2}+\frac{1}{x-6} & =\frac{4}{(x-6)(x-2)} \\
\frac{x}{x-2}(x-2)(x-6)+\frac{1}{x-6}(x-2)(x-6) & =\frac{4}{(x-6)(x-2)}(x-2)(x-6) \\
x(x-6)+(x-2) & =4 \\
x^2-6x+x-2 & =4 \\
x^2-5x-2 & =4 \\
x^2-5x-6 & =0 \\
(x-6)(x+1) & =0 \\
x-6=0 & \text{ or } x+1=0 \\
x=6 & \text{ or } -1
\end{aligned}
\][/tex]

Error: The student incorrectly simplified the numerator on the left-hand side of the equation in the fourth line.

Corrected Solution:
[tex]\[
\begin{aligned}
\frac{x}{x-2}+\frac{1}{x-6} & =\frac{4}{(x-6)(x-2)} \\
\frac{x(x-6)}{(x-2)(x-6)}+\frac{1(x-2)}{(x-6)(x-2)} & =\frac{4}{(x-6)(x-2)} \\
\frac{x(x-6)+(x-2)}{(x-6)(x-2)} & =\frac{4}{(x-6)(x-2)} \\
x(x-6)+1(x-2) & =4 \\
x^2-6x+x-2 & =4 \\
x^2-5x-2 & =4 \\
x^2-5x-6 & =0 \\
(x-6)(x+1) & =0 \\
x-6=0 & \text{ or } x+1=0 \\
x=6 & \text{ or } -1
\end{aligned}
\][/tex]

Conclusion: The student did not make any errors in the solution steps given. The steps are correct and the solutions [tex]\( x = 6 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x = -1 \)[/tex] are valid.


Sagot :

Let's carefully analyze the student's error and then proceed to give the correct solution.

### Analyzing the Student's Work

The given rational equation is:
[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x-2} + \frac{1}{x-6} = \frac{4}{(x-2)(x-6)} \][/tex]

The student’s process is as follows:
1. Multiply both sides by \((x-2)(x-6)\) to clear the denominators:
[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x-2} \cdot (x-2)(x-6) + \frac{1}{x-6} \cdot (x-2)(x-6) = \frac{4}{(x-2)(x-6)} \cdot (x-2)(x-6) \][/tex]

2. Simplify the equation:
[tex]\[ x(x-6) + (x-2) = 4 \][/tex]

3. Combine like terms:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x + x - 2 = 4 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x^2 - 5x - 2 = 4 \][/tex]

4. Subtract 4 from both sides:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 5x - 6 = 0 \][/tex]

5. Factor the quadratic equation:
[tex]\[ (x-6)(x+1) = 0 \][/tex]

6. Solve for \( x \):
[tex]\[ x-6=0 \text{ or } x+1=0 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x = 6 \text{ or } x = -1 \][/tex]

### Identifying the Error
The student's error lies in the assumption that after clearing the denominators, the terms become \( x - 2 \) instead of the correct \((x-2)\cdot(x-6)\) terms directly multiplying with both parts of original right and left expressions.

### Correct Solution

Starting from:
[tex]\[ \frac{x}{x-2} + \frac{1}{x-6} = \frac{4}{(x-2)(x-6)} \][/tex]

We need to multiply every term by the common denominator \((x-2)(x-6)\):
[tex]\[ \left(\frac{x}{x-2} + \frac{1}{x-6}\right) \cdot (x-2)(x-6) = \frac{4}{(x-2)(x-6)} \cdot (x-2)(x-6) \][/tex]

This clears the denominators, resulting in:
[tex]\[ x(x-6) + (x-2) = 4 \][/tex]

Now, this should have been correctly resolved:
[tex]\[ x(x-6) + (x-6) = 4 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x(x-6) \cdot (x-2) + (x-2) \cdot (x-6) = 4\][/tex]
[tex]\[ x(x-6) + (x-2) = 4 \][/tex]
[tex]\[x(x-6) +(1(x-6)) =4 \][/tex]

Combining like terms:
[tex]\[ x(x-6) + (x-6) = 4 \][/tex]

Simplifying further, to recognize correct left-right multiplication and solution for \( x^2-6x +2x-12 \) to initiate Left Being combining process quadratic form \(x^2-5x-6\):
[tex]\[x^2 -5x \neq4,\][/tex]
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[tex]\[ x \left (x - 5x right)+ = =4 Then quadratic ordered x \ solutions\][/tex]

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