Is this a typo or am I missing something? (polynomial equations)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a potential discrepancy in a solution to a problem involving polynomial equations. Participants are examining the expression of a polynomial in terms of three other given polynomials, focusing on a specific term that appears to be inconsistent in the provided solution.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a difference in the constant terms, specifically questioning the inclusion of the term 3z in the solution, which they believe should be z instead.
  • Another participant suggests that the presence of 3z indicates a missing factor in the original equation, but they also express confusion about its origin.
  • Some participants mention that a second method presented in the solution does not include 3z yet yields the same final answer, adding to the confusion.
  • There is a challenge regarding the validity of specific values for x and z that do not satisfy the equation as presented, raising further questions about the correctness of the solution.
  • One participant concludes that the book may need revision due to the inconsistencies noted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the presence or absence of the term 3z, and multiple competing views remain regarding the correctness of the solution and the methods used.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the assumptions underlying the polynomial expressions and the specific terms involved, particularly regarding the constants associated with t^0.

bigmike94
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TL;DR
i cannot figure out where the 3z comes from
The question is asking to express a polynomial in terms of 3 other given polynomials, which in this case should be very straight forward but i am having issues, with the end terms on the second line they have grouped the constants that have a t^0. They have put 5x+3z, my answer says 5x+z, because they're the only terms with t^0 attached. Every other part of the answer matches mine apart from that one term, which ultimately changes the whole final answer. what am I missing?

1668597132994.png
 
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The solution presented uses 3z, so I would assume that there is a 3 missing in the last term of the first equality.
 
bigmike94 said:
TL;DR Summary: i cannot figure out where the 3z comes from

The question is asking to express a polynomial in terms of 3 other given polynomials, which in this case should be very straight forward but i am having issues, with the end terms on the second line they have grouped the constants that have a t^0. They have put 5x+3z, my answer says 5x+z, because they're the only terms with t^0 attached. Every other part of the answer matches mine apart from that one term, which ultimately changes the whole final answer. what am I missing?

View attachment 317242

i will add that they used a second method which acknowledges the fact that there is no 3z, yet it has the same solution as using 3z, very confused

1668598063678.png
 
DrClaude said:
The solution presented uses 3z, so I would assume that there is a 3 missing in the last term of the first equality.
But where would that come from, this is the question and i cannot see anywhere where that term comes from, i have also posted their second method that doesn't use the term 3z yet has the same solution

1668598160596.png
 
bigmike94 said:
i will add that they used a second method which acknowledges the fact that there is no 3z, yet it has the same solution as using 3z, very confused

View attachment 317243
You can check that setting ##x=-3## and ##z=4## doesn't solve ##-3 = 5x+z##.

bigmike94 said:
But where would that come from, this is the question and i cannot see anywhere where that term comes from, i have also posted their second method that doesn't use the term 3z yet has the same solution

View attachment 317244
Then the book needs to be revised.
 
thank you for the help.

So can i move on with no worries about missing anything?
 
bigmike94 said:
thank you for the help.

So can i move on with no worries about missing anything?
I guess so. Good for you to see that there was a problem there!
 
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