You can only add or subtract monomials that have the same variable and the same exponent. For example, 2a + 4a = 6a and 4a² - a² = 3a² but 2a + 4b and 7a - 3b cannot be combined. However, you can multiply and divide monomials with unlike terms. For example, 2a x 6b = 12ab.

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:

c² + 7c + 4 = 4c + 2
c² + 7c + 4 - 2 = 4c
c² + 7c - 4c + 2 = 0
c² + 3c + 2 = 0

Next, factor the quadratic equation:

c² + 3c + 2 = 0
(c + 1)(c + 2) = 0

For this expression to be true, the left side of the expression must equal zero. Therefore, either (c + 1) or (c + 2) must equal zero:

If (c + 1) = 0, c must equal -1
If (c + 2) = 0, c must equal -2

So the solution is that c = -1 or -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.

3a⁴ - 4a⁴ = -1a⁴

To multiply monomials, multiply the coefficients (the numbers that come before the variables) of each term, add the exponents of like variables, and multiply the different variables together.

(9a)(2ab) - (8a²)(3b)
(9 x 2)(a x a x b) - (8 x 3)(a² x b)
(18)(a¹⁺¹ x b) - (24)(a²b)
18a²b - 24a²b
-6a²b

A cube is a rectangular solid box with a height (h), length (l), and width (w). The volume is h x l x w and the surface area is 2lw x 2wh + 2lh.