is (x^2-a^2) the same as (x-a)^2. If so would (x^2-a^2)/x-a = x-a?

Answer 1

x^2 - a^2 = x^2 - a^2

(x-a)^2 = x^2 - 2 a x + a^2
quite a different animal

Answer 2

(x^2-a^2)/(x-a)

= (x-a)(x+a) /(x-a)

= (x+a)

Answer 3

what you are missing is a rule to remember

a^2-b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)