Finding the factor by which two operators differ.

[H.fulls]

1. Homework Statement
I have two operators
A^2B^2+B^2A^2

1/2(A^B^+B^A^) 2

By what factor do the two operators differ?


3. The Attempt at a Solution
I believe I either have to find the inner products of them and relate them somehow or use commutation?
Not sure which one!
I don't want help with the maths as I really need to try figure that bit out myself! But I am not quite sure what the question is asking me to do.

 

[Basic_Physics]

Shouldn't the question read "By what factor do the two operations differ"?
That is the result of the two operations differ by only a factor, or one answer is a factor of the other.

 

[H.fulls]

Thats not how the question is worded :/ Would maybe make more sense like that...But it definitely says by what factor do the two operators given differ.

 

[Basic_Physics]

That doesn't make sense. Operators are defined a certain way and give variable results when operating on the operands. So I would think they intended to write 'operations'. If that is what they really intended why would they give two equations then?