Question

a^2-b^2/a-b

reduce to lowest terms

Answer 1

Does the numerator (a difference of two squares) factor?

Answer 2

is the answer a+b that is what i got

Answer 3

yes, a+b

Answer 4

thank you

Answer 5

[AI-generated answer — Explain Bot]

To reduce the expression (a^2 - b^2)/(a - b) to its lowest terms, we can factor the numerator and the denominator, and then simplify.

Step 1: Factor the numerator (a^2 - b^2)
The numerator is a difference of squares, which can be factored as (a - b)(a + b).

Step 2: Factor the denominator (a - b)
The denominator is already factored as (a - b).

Step 3: Simplify the expression
Divide the numerator and denominator by their common factor, (a - b). This cancels out the (a - b) term, leaving us with (a + b)/(1). Since any number divided by 1 is itself, the expression is simplified to (a + b).

Therefore, the simplified expression of (a^2 - b^2)/(a - b) in the lowest terms is (a + b).