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, repeatedly do the same thing to both sides of the equation until the variable is isolated on one side of the < sign and the answer on the other.

-3a + 5 < 4 - a
-3a < 4 - a - 5
-3a + a < 4 - 5
-2a < -1
a < \( \frac{-1}{-2} \)
a < \(\frac{1}{2}\)

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 + 6a = 15a

A circle is a figure in which each point around its perimeter is an equal distance from the center. The radius of a circle is the distance between the center and any point along its perimeter. A chord is a line segment that connects any two points along its perimeter. The diameter of a circle is the length of a chord that passes through the center of the circle and equals twice the circle's radius (2r).

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:

b² - 3b - 61 = -4b - 5
b² - 3b - 61 + 5 = -4b
b² - 3b + 4b - 56 = 0
b² + b - 56 = 0

Next, factor the quadratic equation:

b² + b - 56 = 0
(b - 7)(b + 8) = 0

For this expression to be true, the left side of the expression must equal zero. Therefore, either (b - 7) or (b + 8) must equal zero:

If (b - 7) = 0, b must equal 7
If (b + 8) = 0, b must equal -8

So the solution is that b = 7 or -8