document.write( "Question 964233: A student is asked to solve b^2+b^2=c^2 for a and gives the following solution. Assume all variables represent positive Real Numbers. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(Step 1) \"+b%5E2%2Ba%5E2=c%5E2+\"
\n" ); document.write( "(Step 2) \"+sqrt%28+b%5E2%2Ba%5E2+%29+=+sqrt%28+c%5E2+%29+\"
\n" ); document.write( "(Step 3) b+a=c
\n" ); document.write( "(Step 4) a=c-b\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Explain the mistake(s) made by the student and provide the correct solution. Make sure to analyze the entire solution as there may be multiple mistakes made.
\n" ); document.write( "I cannot figure out the answers to this question. I think I might have the answers but I am not sure they are correct. Any help would be appreciated! \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #589127 by Edwin McCravy(20056)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
\r\n" );
document.write( "A student is asked to solve b^2+a^2=c^2 for a and gives the following\r\n" );
document.write( "solution. Assume all variables represent positive Real Numbers. \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "(Step 1)       \"+b%5E2%2Ba%5E2=c%5E2+\"\r\n" );
document.write( "(Step 2)       \"+sqrt%28+b%5E2%2Ba%5E2+%29+=+sqrt%28+c%5E2+%29+\"\r\n" );
document.write( "(Step 3)       b+a=c\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "That step is wrong. This mistake is trying to use a rule that applies \r\n" );
document.write( "only to MULTIPLIED quantities under a square root radical for ADDED \r\n" );
document.write( "quantities under a radical. If b2a2 had been under the radical and we had \r\n" );
document.write( "had \"sqrt%28b%5E2a%5E2%29\" that would have given \"b%2Aa\" but since b2 and a2 are added under \r\n" );
document.write( "the radical the rule doesn't work. So step (3) should be:\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\"sqrt%28+b%5E2%2Ba%5E2+%29+=+c+\"\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "We cannot take ADDED squared terms from under a square root radical individually\r\n" );
document.write( "like we can MULTIPLIED squared terms under a square root radical.  So we have\r\n" );
document.write( "to leave the problem like that. \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Edwin
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );