Question 35939
Hi,

Yes both a and b must be rational. The reason for this is that given {{{a-b}}} and {{{a^2 - b^2}}} you can calculate both a and b using only addition, subtraction, and division. There is no way to make irrational numbers from rational ones using only these operators.

To start you off in trying to find a and b, Ask yourself, what is {{{(a^2-b^2)/(a-b)}}}

Hope that helps,

Write back if you need me to do all the stages, but do try and find a and b on your own first.

Kev