Question

Simplify (a½ - b½)(a½ + b½)

Answer 1

a - b

Explanation:

Assuming you mean:
`(a^\frac12-b^\frac12)(a^\frac12+b^\frac12)`

Apply Difference of Two Squares formula
`(a-b)(a+b)=a^2-b^2`:

`\implies (a^\frac12-b^\frac12)(a^\frac12+b^\frac12)=(a^\frac12)^2-(b^\frac12)^2`

Apply the exponent rule
`(a^b)^c=a^(bc)` :

`\implies (a^\frac12)^2-(b^\frac12)^2=a^1-b^1=a-b`