Shown below are the steps a student took to solve the simple interest formula A = P(1 + rt) for r. uppercase A = uppercase P (1 + r t). uppercase A = uppercase P + r t. uppercase A minus uppercase P = r t. r = StartFraction (uppercase A minus uppercase P) Over t End Fraction

Explain the algebraic error in the student’s work. Then, state how the equation r = StartFraction (uppercase A minus uppercase P) Over t EndFraction can be modified to produce the correct result.


The student did not distribute properly to get A=P+Prt
The equation can be fixed by putting a factor of P in the denominator: r= (A-P)/(Pt)