standard_description: Rewrite simple rational expressions in different forms; write a(x)/b(x) in the form q(x) + r(x)/b(x), where a(x), b(x), q(x), and r(x) are polynomials with the degree of r(x) less than the degree of b(x), using inspection, long division, or, for the more complicated examples, a computer algebra system.
problem_activity: Task
Consider the algebraic expressions below:
$$ (n + 2)^2 - 4 \qquad \text{and} \qquad n^2 + 4n. $$
Use the figures below to illustrate why the expressions are equivalent:
[IMG]
Find some ways to algebraically verify the same result.


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