Factoring Binomials: drawing a blank on b^2-a^2/b-a

[synchr0nisity]

I am having trouble factoring a problem correctly:

b^2-a^2/b-a
I am completely drawing a blank. I have a workup of this particular portion of my problem in a pdf file but I am unsure of how to upload it.

would it be ab(b-a)/b-a which equals (ab)

 

[Denis]

Re: Factoring Binomials

> b^2-a^2/b-a

does that mean b^2 - a^2/(b - a) or b^2 - a^2/b - a

> would it be ab(b-a)-b-a which equals (ab)

NO! that equals ab^2 - a^2b - b - a
Sorry, but you're not ready for this problem; do you attend math classes?

 

[synchr0nisity]

Re: Factoring Binomials

I find your comment condescending and your lack of faith disturbing!. I AM A MATH 111 Student, in COLLEGE, AND THAT IS A PROBLEM FROM MY TEXTBOOK!!!!!!!!!!

Now if there is a way to upload a pdf. I will provide the problem that I am working on.

 

[Denis]

Re: Factoring Binomials

I find your comment condescending and your lack of faith disturbing!.

WHY?

YOU stated that ab(b-a)-b-a equals (ab) : it certainly does not.
YOU CHANGED it to ab(b-a) / b-a which equals (ab) : AFTER my comment.
PLUS you did not change it properly: should be ab(b-a) / (b-a)

These were things that INDICATED you needed to get back to basics;
and this site is not a classroom; we can't teach here.

Now I see that you changed the original problem to: b^2-a^2 / b-a ;
AGAIN, that's wrong; should be (b^2-a^2) / (b-a) : brackets are required.

And I'll give you the answer:
(b^2-a^2) / (b-a)
= (b + a)(b - a) / (b - a)
= b + a

Have a good day.

 

[synchr0nisity]

Re: Factoring Binomials

Thank you. It had been awhile since I had completed Math 95. I took it personal I guess. There are all sorts of math problems across the board that I understand and I will admit I am a little rusty when it comes to factoring. Sometimes I work too fast but I took it personal because I covered binomial expansion and Pascals triangle in Math 95 along with the Gauss formula and sigma notation. When I hear I am not ready for something it drives me explicitly to know what I am missing. I must know everything when it comes to math because I am majoring in Astrophysics. I appreciate you taking the time to help me. Thank you again.