To determine the likely error made by the student, let's analyze the conversion provided:
- 2 tons = 4,000 pounds (this correctly reflects the conversion of 1 ton = 2,000 pounds)
- 4 tons = 8,000 pounds
- 10 tons = 20,000 pounds
- 12 tons = 40,000 pounds
If we look closely, 12 tons is shown as 40,000 pounds, but using the 2,000 pounds per ton conversion, we would expect:
12 tons × 2,000 pounds/ton = 24,000 pounds.
So, it seems that the student likely made an error in the calculations regarding the conversion for 12 tons.
Now let’s examine the options:
A. The student used the ratio of 2:2,000 instead of 1:2,000.
- This doesn't seem to apply since the conversion factor used was correct (1 ton = 2,000 pounds).
B. The student multiplied by 10 instead of 6.
- This option does not seem relevant to the calculations directly. The conversions listed all follow consistent doubling as per tons.
C. The student used the ratio of 1:4,000 instead of 2:4,000.
- This statement does not seem to apply, as they used the conversion of 1 ton = 2,000 pounds effectively.
D. The student multiplied by 6 instead of 10.
- This could relate to miscalculating the pound equivalent for 12 tons.
The most fitting answer considering this situation is:
D. The student multiplied by 6 instead of 10.
This makes sense because if the student was supposed to convert 12 tons, they should have calculated it as \(12\ tons \times 2,000\ pounds/ton = 24,000\ pounds\) (indicating a mistake likely associated with the expected multiplication).