SOLUTION: factor completely: a^3-b^3-a^2+b^2

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Question 1085697: factor completely:
a^3-b^3-a^2+b^2

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a%5E3-b%5E3-a%5E2%2Bb%5E2
Write it like this:

%28a%5E3-b%5E3%29%5E%22%22-%28a%5E2-b%5E2%29

Factor the first as a difference of cubes and the second as
a difference of squares. Then there will be a common
factor of (a-b).  You finish.

Edwin