To multiply binomials, use the FOIL method. FOIL stands for First, Outside, Inside, Last and refers to the position of each term in the parentheses:

(y + 1)(y - 1)
(y x y) + (y x -1) + (1 x y) + (1 x -1)
y² - y + y - 1
y² - 1

The first step to solve a quadratic equation that's set to zero is to factor the quadratic equation:

a² + 9a + 14 = 0
(a + 2)(a + 7) = 0

For this expression to be true, the left side of the expression must equal zero. Therefore, either (a + 2) or (a + 7) must equal zero:

If (a + 2) = 0, a must equal -2
If (a + 7) = 0, a must equal -7

So the solution is that a = -2 or -7

A line segment is a portion of a line with a measurable length. The midpoint of a line segment is the point exactly halfway between the endpoints. The midpoint bisects (cuts in half) the line segment.

An equation is two expressions separated by an equal sign. The key to solving equations is to repeatedly do the same thing to both sides of the equation until the variable is isolated on one side of the equal sign and the answer on the other.

To solve this equation, isolate the variable for which you are solving (a) on one side of the equation and put everything else on the other side.

-a + 8y = 9a + 2y - 6
-a = 9a + 2y - 6 - 8y
-a - 9a = 2y - 6 - 8y
-10a = -6y - 6
a = \( \frac{-6y - 6}{-10} \)
a = \( \frac{-6y}{-10} \) + \( \frac{-6}{-10} \)
a = \(\frac{3}{5}\)y + \(\frac{3}{5}\)