If a ≠ 0, then the limit of (x^2 - a^2)/(x^4 - a^4) as x approaches a is:

Question

How do I do this type of problem?

Answer 1

A simple case of factoring will do the job

limit (x^2 - a^2)/(x^4 - a^4) , x ---> a
= lim (x^2 - a^2)/( (x^2 + a^2)(x^2 - a^2)
= lim 1/(x^2 + a^2) , as x --> a
= 1/(2a^2)

Answer 2

How did you simplify 1/(x^2 + a^2) as 1/(2a^2)?

Answer 3

Never mind, I got it.