Simplify 12x12x to x2x2 x2−34y=−2x2−34y=−2 2 Simplify 34y34y to 3y43y4 x2−3y4=−2x2−3y4=−2 3 Subtract x2x2 from both sides −3y4=−2−x2−3y4=−2−x2 4 Multiply both sides by 44 −3y=(−2−x2)×4−3y=(−2−x2)×4 5 Regroup terms −3y=4(−2−x2)−3y=4(−2−x2) 6 Divide both sides by −3−3 y=4(−2−x2)−3y=4(−2−x2)−3 7 Simplify 4(−2−x2)−34(−2−x2)−3 to −4(−2−x2)3−4(−2−x2)3 y=−4(−2−x2)3