Question

Is there a difference between:
((1 + h)^2 -1^2) / ((1 + h) -1)
and
((1 + h)^2 -1) / ((1 + h) -1)

Is seems to me that 1^2 should just be simplified to 1. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

No you are not ,
In the first case the power here is applied to all the bracket (1+h)^2 = (1^2+h^2+2h)
While in the second case ,The power is only applied on the 1 , -1^2= -1
Note:
If it was (-1)^2=1

Answer 2

Good! Thanks

Apparently ((1 + h)^2 -1) / ((1 + h) -1) is supposed to be h + 2

Do you know how I get there?