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

8b + 7y = 7b + 7y + 6
8b = 7b + 7y + 6 - 7y
8b - 7b = 7y + 6 - 7y
b = + 6

To factor a quadratic expression, apply the FOIL method (First, Outside, Inside, Last) in reverse. First, find the two Last terms that will multiply to produce -6 as well and sum (Inside, Outside) to equal 5. For this problem, those two numbers are -1 and 6. Then, plug these into a set of binomials using the square root of the First variable (y²):

y² + 5y - 6
y² + (-1 + 6)y + (-1 x 6)
(y - 1)(y + 6)

The volume of a cube is height x length x width:

v = h x l x w
v = 6 x 8 x 8
v = 384

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.

4a⁶ + 6a⁶ = 10a⁶