document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=395137>Question 395137</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Explain the error made in solving the equation.  Solve the equation correctly<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2=x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2/x=x/x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x=1\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "I thought the error was that x^2 is not equal to x, but rather x^2 is equal to x*x and so it should have been multiplication and not division-yet I really don't know I am only taking a guess.  I also don't know how to go about solving the equation itself </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #280444 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=280444\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Explain the error made in solving the equation. Solve the equation correctly<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2=x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2/x=x/x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x=1 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "I thought the error was that x^2 is not equal to x, but rather x^2 is equal to x*x and so it should have been multiplication and not division-yet I really don't know I am only taking a guess. I also don't know how to go about solving the equation itself<BR>\n" );
document.write( "====================<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So, what is the solution ?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 = x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-x = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x(x-1) = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 1 or x = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The method used in the problem found the x=1 solution but not the x=0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "solution.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Of course you could't divide both sides by x if x = 0.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "But you did.  And that is the mistake.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );