SOLUTION: Can anyone explain why ab/a-b is in simplest form? Why can't the a's and b's cancel out and leave -1? Thanks.

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: Can anyone explain why ab/a-b is in simplest form? Why can't the a's and b's cancel out and leave -1? Thanks.      Log On


   

Question 886828: Can anyone explain why ab/a-b is in simplest form? Why can't the a's and b's cancel out and leave -1? Thanks.
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The a and b in the numerator are FACTORS of the numerator.  
That is, they are MULTIPLIED together to form the numerator.

The a and b in the denominator are TERMS of the denominator.  
That is, they are SUBTRACTED to form the denominator.

We may only cancel a FACTOR of the numerator with a FACTOR
of the denominator.  A TERM of the numerator can NEVER be 
canceled with anything in the denominator, or vice-versa.

Edwin