This is a technique for solving heavy equations by substituting terms in variables.

Example

(x^2 -5x -5)(x^2-5x+3) = 9 let a = x^2 -5x + 3 thus, it is: a(a-8) = 9 a^2 - 8a - 9 = 0 (a - 9)(a+1) = 0 (x^2 -5x -6)(x^2 -5x -4) = 0 (x+0.854)(x-0.697)(x-4.303)(x-5.854) = 0