$\"\"$

The equation is $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$ (Evaluate powers: $\"\"$ )

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

$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms) $\"\"$

Check:

To check, substitute $\"\"$ in equation $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$ (Substitute $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$ (Evaluate powers: $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$ . (Multiply: $\"\"$ ) The equation is true. $\"\"$

The value of $\"\"$ .