6 times j squared minus twice j squared j squared means we raise the variable j to the power of 2: j^2 6 times j squared means we multiply j^2 by 6: 6j^2 Twice j squared means we multiply j^2 by 2: 2j^2 The word minus means we subtract 2j^2 from 6j^2 6j^2 - 2j^2 So if you must simplify, we group like terms and get: (6 - 2)j^2 4j^2