+0  
 
0
266
1
avatar

If a and b are nonzero real number such that $|a| \neq |b|$, compute the value of the expression (a + b)(b - a)/(a^2 - b^2).

 May 27, 2021
 #1
avatar
0

 

write (a + b)(b – a) as (b + a)(b – a) just to make the difference of squares more visual 

 

so (b + a)(b – a) = b2 – a2      multiply this by –1 and it is [ –1 • (a2 – b2) ]   

 

                                                                   divide the above by (a2 – b2)   

 

the (a2 – b2) in the numerator and denominator cancel out, leaving you with  –1  

 May 27, 2021

3 Online Users

avatar