Eva, Carl, and Maria are Eva finds the slope between the points (0,0) and (32) Carl finds the
computing the slope between pairs slope between the points (3.2) and (6.4). Maria finds the slope bolwoon
of points on the line shown below. the points (3,2) and (9,6). They have each drawn a triangle to help with
their calculations (shown below)

a4 - 3a2 - 1

step-by-step explanation:

step   1   :

equation at the end of step   1   :

  ((a4) -   3a2) -   1

step   2   :

trying to factor by splitting the middle term

2.1     factoring   a4-3a2-1  

the first term is,   a4   its coefficient is   1 .

the middle term is,   -3a2   its coefficient is   -3 .

the last term, "the constant", is   -1