| ( | 42 | − | 3 | x | ) | ( | 20 | − | x | ) | = | 648 |
| Left side of the equation = | 42 | ( | 20 | − | x | ) | − | 3 | x | ( | 20 | − | x | ) |
| = | 42 | × | 20 | − | 42 | x | − | 3 | x | ( | 20 | − | x | ) |
| = | 840 | − | 42 | x | − | 3 | x | ( | 20 | − | x | ) |
| = | 840 | − | 42 | x | − | 3 | x | × | 20 | + | 3 | x | x |
| = | 840 | − | 42 | x | − | 60 | x | + | 3 | x | x |
| = | 840 | − | 102 | x | + | 3 | x | x |
| 840 | − | 102 | x | + | 3 | x | x | = | 648 |