The equation is .

Subtract from each side.

To find the G .C .F in above binomial expression .

Factors of :  11, 121, a.

Factors of : 7, 49, a, a², a³.

Then the GCF is a.

Combine like terms using distributive property: .

Apply difference of squares formula: .

Apply zero product property: If then .

First term is .

Apply subtraction property of equality: If a = b then a c = b  c.

Subtract 11 from each side.

Apply additive inverse property: .

Divide each side by 7.

Check:

To check the first solution substitute  in .

Then the first solution is "true".

Second term is .

Apply addition property of equality: If a = b then a + c = b + c.

Add 7a to each side.

Apply additive inverse property: .

Divide each side by 7.

Check:

To check the first solution substitute  in .

Then the first solution is "true".

The solution are , a = 0 and .