Question

On a recent test, Shawna was given the following problem:



Shawna's work is shown below:

Step 1: a2+72=252


Step 2: a2+14=50


Step 3: a2=36


a=6 m


In which step did Shawna make an error?

(1 point)
Responses

Step 1. She incorrectly applied the Pythagorean theorem.
Step 1. She incorrectly applied the Pythagorean theorem.

Step 4. She incorrectly solved for a
Step 4. She incorrectly solved for A

Step 2. She incorrectly squared the numbers.
Step 2. She incorrectly squared the numbers.

Step 3. She incorrectly isolated a2

Answer 1

Shawna's error occurred in **Step 2**.

In Step 1, she correctly set up the equation \( a^2 + 72 = 252 \).

In Step 2, she should have correctly simplified the equation from Step 1. The correct calculation is:
\[
a^2 + 72 = 252
\]
Subtracting 72 from both sides gives:
\[
a^2 = 252 - 72
\]
\[
a^2 = 180
\]
Instead, she wrote \( a^2 + 14 = 50 \), which is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is:
**Step 2. She incorrectly squared the numbers.**