$\"\"$

\

The equation is $\"\"$ .

\

$\"\"$ (Apply commutative property of multiplication: $\"\"$ )

\

$\"\"$ (Product of two same signs is positive)

\

$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ ) $\"\"$

\

$\"\"$ (Divide each side by 36)

\

$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms)

\

$\"\"$ (Divide: $\"\"$ ) $\"\"$

\

Check:

\

To check the solution, substitute $\"\"$ in original equation.

\

$\"\"$

\

$\"\"$ (Product of two different signs is negative)

\

$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ )

\

$\"\"$ (Product of two same signs is positive)

\

$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ )

\

The statement is true. $\"\"$

\

The value of $\"\"$ .