The first step to solve a quadratic expression that's not set to zero is to solve the equation so that it is set to zero:

y² - 8y + 38 = 5y + 2
y² - 8y + 38 - 2 = 5y
y² - 8y - 5y + 36 = 0
y² - 13y + 36 = 0

Next, factor the quadratic equation:

y² - 13y + 36 = 0
(y - 4)(y - 9) = 0

For this expression to be true, the left side of the expression must equal zero. Therefore, either (y - 4) or (y - 9) must equal zero:

If (y - 4) = 0, y must equal 4
If (y - 9) = 0, y must equal 9

So the solution is that y = 4 or 9

When solving an equation with two variables, replace the variables with the values given and then solve the now variable-free equation. (Remember order of operations, PEMDAS, Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.)

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients (the numbers that come before the variables) of terms that have the same variable raised to the same exponent.

7a⁵ + 4a⁵ = 11a⁵

A monomial contains one term, a binomial contains two terms, and a polynomial contains more than two terms.

For parallel lines with a transversal, the following relationships apply:

• angles in the same position on different parallel lines equal each other (a° = w°, b° = x°, c° = z°, d° = y°)
• alternate interior angles are equal (a° = z°, b° = y°, c° = w°, d° = x°)
• all acute angles (a° = c° = w° = z°) and all obtuse angles (b° = d° = x° = y°) equal each other
• same-side interior angles are supplementary and add up to 180° (e.g. a° + d° = 180°, d° + c° = 180°)

Applying these relationships starting with b° = 144, the value of z° is 36.