Lesson 1

Watching for Errors

 

Thus far in the lesson, you have learned how to write equivalent rational expressions and reduce the expressions to lowest terms. In the remainder of the lesson you will study errors that can occur in the process of simplifying rational expressions. You will do this by analyzing the work of fictional students.

 

Try This 6

 

The work of four different students is shown. Each student has made an error in simplifying certain rational expressions.

• Analyze the work of each student.
  
  
• Identify and explain the error.
  
  
• Show the correct solution.

1. Marlee
   
   
    
   
   
   
2. Neetu
   
   
    
   
   
   
3. Aaron
   
   
    
   
   
   
4. Siobhan
   
   
    
   
   

Save your responses in your course folder.

 

Share 3

 

With a classmate, compare your answers to Try This 6. Discuss how the errors you identified can be avoided. In other words, are there strategies that can be applied so that the risk of making the mistakes is minimized?

 

Save your responses in your course folder.

 

Make any necessary revisions to your work from Try This 6. You will be asked to copy your work from Try This 6 into the Lesson 1 Assignment later in this lesson.

 

Self-Check 3