document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=409982>Question 409982</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In solving the equation (x + 1)(x – 2) = 54, Eric stated that the solution would be<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x + 1 = 54 => x = 53<BR>\n" );
document.write( "or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x – 2) = 54 => x = 56<BR>\n" );
document.write( "However, at least one of these solutions fails to work when substituted back into the original equation. Why is that? Please help Eric to understand better; solve the problem yourself, and explain your reasoning.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "I have tried this, when I substituted 53, and 56..I got 2862=54..I am way off..Please help..Thank you. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #288424 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=288424\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\">  In solving the equation (x + 1)(x – 2) = 54, Eric stated that the solution would be<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x + 1 = 54 => x = 53<BR>\n" );
document.write( "or<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x – 2) = 54 => x = 56<BR>\n" );
document.write( "However, at least one of these solutions fails to work when substituted back into the original equation. Why is that? Please help Eric to understand better; solve the problem yourself, and explain your reasoning.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "We are told that (x+1)(x-2) = 54.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "If x+1=54 then x-2 would have to equal 1 so the product could be 54<BR>\n" );
document.write( "--<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then x would have to be 53 and x would have to be 3 at the same time.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "But that is impossible.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Your substitution reveals the contradiction very well.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=========<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );