To factor a quadratic expression, apply the FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last) method in reverse.

Parallel lines are lines that share the same slope (steepness) and therefore never intersect. A transversal occurs when a set of parallel lines are crossed by another line. All of the angles formed by a transversal are called interior angles and angles in the same position on different parallel lines equal each other (a° = w°, b° = x°, c° = z°, d° = y°) and are called corresponding angles. Alternate interior angles are equal (a° = z°, b° = y°, c° = w°, d° = x°) and 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°).

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.

9a - 9a = 0a

The surface area of a cylinder is 2πr² + 2πrh:

sa = 2πr² + 2πrh
sa = 2π(8²) + 2π(8 x 7)
sa = 2π(64) + 2π(56)
sa = (2 x 64)π + (2 x 56)π
sa = 128π + 112π
sa = 240π

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.

4a⁹ - 8a⁹ = -4a⁹