Simplifying A Fraction
Source:
February 11, 2009
Problem Statement
The fraction \frac{a^{\minus{}4}\minus{}b^{\minus{}4}}{a^{\minus{}2}\minus{}b^{\minus{}2}} is equal to:
(A)\ a^{\minus{}6}\minus{}b^{\minus{}6} \qquad
(B)\ a^{\minus{}2}\minus{}b^{\minus{}2} \qquad
(C)\ a^{\minus{}2}\plus{}b^{\minus{}2} \\
(D)\ a^2\plus{}b^2 \qquad
(E)\ a^2\minus{}b^2