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.

6a⁵ - 2a⁵ = 4a⁵

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 equal sign and the answer on the other.

6b + 5 = \( \frac{b}{3} \)
3 x (6b + 5) = b
(3 x 6b) + (3 x 5) = b
18b + 15 = b
18b + 15 - b = 0
18b - b = -15
17b = -15
b = \( \frac{-15}{17} \)
b = -\(\frac{15}{17}\)

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.

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

y² + 13y + 40 = 0
(y + 5)(y + 8) = 0

For this expression to be true, the left side of the expression must equal zero. Therefore, either (y + 5) or (y + 8) must equal zero:

If (y + 5) = 0, y must equal -5
If (y + 8) = 0, y must equal -8

So the solution is that y = -5 or -8

An isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length. An equilateral triangle has three sides of equal length. In a right triangle, two sides meet at a right angle.