Kiran and Mai are trying to figure out if this equation is an identity:
(a - b) = a¹-4a³b+6a²b²-4ab³ + bª
Kiran picks several different values for a and b to test. For each pair he tries, the left side and the right side have the same value. Since his tests all worked, Kiran thinks the equation is an
identity.
Mai started by using the distributive property on the expression on the left side. She then arranged the result to look the same as the right side. Since she can write both sides the same way,
Mai thinks the equation is an identity.
Who do you think had a better argument for why the equation is an identity?