To determine which student's solution is accurate, we can look at their steps and where they diverged in their methods.
Jamal's Steps:
- He started with the equation \( x^2 + 4x - 12 = 0 \). This is a proper quadratic equation set to zero, which is correct.
- He factored it as \( (x + 6)(x - 2) = 0 \).
- He set \( x + 6 = 0 \) and \( x - 2 = 0 \).
- He solved for \( x \) and got \( x = -6 \) and \( x = 2 \).
However, Jamal's original equation was incorrect. \( x^2 + 4x - 12 = 0 \) is not the same as \( x^2 + 4x - 5 = 7 \). Thus, his solution is inaccurate.
George's Steps:
- George began with the equation \( x^2 + 4x - 5 = 7 \).
- He should have set the equation to zero first: \( x^2 + 4x - 5 - 7 = 0\) or \( x^2 + 4x - 12 = 0\).
- However, he incorrectly factored \( (x+5)(x-1) = 7 \), which does not correspond to either side of the equation.
- He then attempted to use the Zero Product Property incorrectly and set factors equal to zero based on incorrect factoring.
Both Jamal and George made errors in their work. However, Jamal at least started with an equation that could be factored (even though it was not the right one). George misinterpreted his own equation and derived factors that did not align with the original equation.
In conclusion, both students made mistakes: Jamal did not start with the correct equation, and George improperly applied the Zero Product Property to incorrect factors. Neither solution is accurate, but George's misunderstanding of the factors shows a greater error in his approach to solving the original equation.