Question

One reason for checking a solution in the original equation is to look for an error in one of the steps of the solution. Give another reason.

Short answer

Another reason to check the solution in the original equation is to confirm that the solution is valid and isn't an extraneous one.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the question

The question asks for another reason, aside from error checking, for why we re-visit the original equation after finding a solution. This means we are looking for an additional purpose that the validation step may serve.

Identifying potential reasons

You could think about the objectives of problem-solving in Mathematics. Why is it important to double-check our work in any given situation?

Giving the answer

One additional reason for checking a solution in the original equation is to confirm that the solution is valid and satisfies the original equation. Specifically, in case of algebraic or numerical problems, it helps to ascertain that the solution isn't an extraneous one. Extraneous solutions are results that emerge from the process of solving the equation but do not satisfy the original equation.