I don't understand why the 3^2 ended up being 24a^2 when it should have been 25a because the exponent over the three should cancel the exponent over the a. Or is it because its over the a that it can't be cancel? Would it have to be 3a^2 to cancel the exponent over the 2? But then it would equal 75a wouldn't it? And how many equations go with the squares? why couldn't i leave it in its greatest common factor expression? how does the equation given in the green box apply to the answer given? I wish I could see the way you had it put in the equation given to the answer you gave. Why does the negative factors change sign? is it just a simple rule? is that the answer at the end? I wish I could see how you would check you work because maybe I would get the problem better? Sorry for being a hassle I have a huge test on this and I want to be able to get it and do it myself on the test since I can't always use this.