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. **Find $a - c$:** Since
$$a - c = (a - b) + (b - c) = 2 + 2 = 4$$
4. **Substitute values into the expression:**
$$\frac{(a - b)^2 + (b - c)^2}{(a - c)^2} = \frac{2^2 + 2^2}{4^2}$$
5. **Calculate numerator and denominator:**
$$\frac{4 + 4}{16} = \frac{8}{16}$$
6. **Simplify the fraction:**
$$\frac{\cancel{8}}{\cancel{16}} = \frac{1}{2}$$
**Final answer:**
$$\boxed{\frac{1}{2}}$$
Fraction Value F5950B
Step-by-step solutions with LaTeX - clean, fast, and student-friendly.