a x b = -3. b x b = 1. Now whats -3 - 1? When a letter is right next to another letter without a space, that means it wants you to multiply the value of one letter by the other. for example, if x equals 2 and y equals 3, and they're right next to each other like this: xy that means you need to multiply x by y. X times Y = 2 times 3. 2x3=6. If you see a letter with a small number beside it, this means that it wants you to multiply the value of that letter by itself times the little number on the top. For example, if n equals 6, and the little number on the top right is 3, then that means you have to multiply 6 by 6 three times. 6 x 6 x 6 = 216.