Bump in the Right Direction: Simplifying b^2-a^2

[montoyas7940]

b^2-a^2
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b-a simplifies to a+b
I didn't think I could simply divide because of the subtraction.
Is that how this is simplified ?
If not then please give me a bump in the right direction.

 

[rocomath]

expand this for me ...

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

"Difference of squares ..."

 

[neutrino]

Find out what you get by multiplying b-a and b+a.

 

[Sourabh N]

do you know polynomial division? (btw, your result is valid only when a is not equal to b)

 

[montoyas7940]

Argggh! Thanks everyone!