\[(a + b)^{2} - (a - b)^{2} =\]
\[= \left( a + b - (a - b) \right)\left( a + b + (a - b) \right) =\]
\[= (a + b - a + b)(a + b + a - b) =\]
\[= 2b \cdot 2a = 4ab.\]