1. **State the problem:** Given that $a - b = b - c = 2$, find the value of
$$\frac{(a - b)^2 + (b - c)^2}{(a - c)^2}$$
2. **Use the given information:** We know
$$a - b = 2 \quad \text{and} \quad b - c = 2$$
3. **Calculate the numerator:**
$$(a - b)^2 + (b - c)^2 = 2^2 + 2^2 = 4 + 4 = 8$$
4. **Calculate the denominator:**
Since $a - c = (a - b) + (b - c)$, we have
$$a - c = 2 + 2 = 4$$
Therefore,
$$(a - c)^2 = 4^2 = 16$$
5. **Form the fraction and simplify:**
$$\frac{(a - b)^2 + (b - c)^2}{(a - c)^2} = \frac{8}{16} = \frac{\cancel{8}}{\cancel{16}} = \frac{1}{2}$$
6. **Final answer:**
$$\boxed{\frac{1}{2}}$$
Fraction Squares F6Ef86
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