Simple Algebra problem

[coder1]

a^2-b^2
------------------
a^2-2ab+b^2

If I were to reduce this problem to lowest terms would I get..

a+b
-----
a-b


I think that is right. Can anyone with better math skills confirm?

 

[gwlam12]

good job yes

 

[Dacalo]

you earned a cookie

 

[Haircut]

Correct

a^2 - b^2 = (a-b) (a+b)

a^2 - 2ab + b^2 = (a-b) (a-b)

Thus cancelling the (a-b) from both sides leaves

(a+b)
-------
(a-b)

 

[coder1]

Thanks for the replies, the factoring stuff is taking awhile to come back to me, but getting a little easier.
I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[notfred]

haha... I saw a line that looked like "----------------------" and automatically assumed that your signature was below it, so I skipped the rest of the post.... I was thinking "WTF? that's hardly a question..."