The benevolent "algebraicians" have kindly bestowed upon us some slick shortcuts, known as "identities."

Identity 1: $ax + bx = x(a + b)$

Identity 2: $ax - bx = x(a - b)$

Identity 3: $(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2$

Identity 4: $(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2$

Identity 5: $(a + b)(a - b) = a^2 - b^2$

These identities are your algebraic cheat codes, learn them well and use them wisely!