Oh teacher, where art thou?

[Denis]

I had posted hoping for a simple answer, but instead got introduced to a whole new mathematical concept I never knew about.

Huh? Your teacher gave the class that equation to solve,
but forgot to "teach"?

 

[HallsofIvy]

The OP never said this was school work.

 

[Denis]

The OP never said this was school work.

....which is why I asked!

 

[Steven G]

Huh? Your teacher gave the class that equation to solve,
but forgot to "teach"?

forgot or can't.