Question 886828
<pre>
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</pre>