SOLUTION: My question is on rational expressions. I can't figure out the steps to take to simplify this expression. (a^(-4)-b^(-4))/(a^(-2)-b^(-2))

SOLUTION: My question is on rational expressions. I can't figure out the steps to take to simplify this expression. (a^(-4)-b^(-4))/(a^(-2)-b^(-2))

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Question 893815: My question is on rational expressions. I can't figure out the steps to take to simplify this expression. (a^(-4)-b^(-4))/(a^(-2)-b^(-2))
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Make the substitutions:

and

---------------------

---------------------
Now multiply top and bottom by

or,

-----------------------
You can do a quick check by plugging
numbers into original and final answer, like

and use calculator
Hope this helps

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