## Can this be simplified any furthur? (a^2(a^2-b^2))/(b^2(a-b)

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### Can this be simplified any furthur? (a^2(a^2-b^2))/(b^2(a-b)

In my math class right now, we're learning about multiplying rationals, which is basically multiplying fractions with variables in them. I got this as an answer to a question, but I'm not sure if it's simplified all the way:

a2(a2-b2)
b2(a-b)

We don't need to distribute the a2 or b2. I'm just wondering if you could divide the (a2-b2) by the (a-b)? Is that possible? Is it allowed? And would the quotient be (a+b)? One of the answers on the answer sheet (it's one of those corny Punchline joke worksheets) is:

a2(a+b)
b2

Would that be the simplified answer of my question above, if those two terms were to be divided?

Thanks!
Hannah

Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 4:27 pm

### Re: Can this be simplified any furthur?

Hannah wrote:In my math class right now, we're learning about multiplying rationals, which is basically multiplying fractions with variables in them. I got this as an answer to a question, but I'm not sure if it's simplified all the way:

a2(a2-b2)
b2(a-b)

We don't need to distribute the a2 or b2. I'm just wondering if you could divide the (a2-b2) by the (a-b)? Is that possible? Is it allowed? And would the quotient be (a+b)? One of the answers on the answer sheet (it's one of those corny Punchline joke worksheets) is:

a2(a+b)
b2

Would that be the simplified answer of my question above, if those two terms were to be divided?

Thanks!

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

Martingale

Posts: 350
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:30 pm
Location: USA