Elementary algebra

Factoring Polynomials of Degree 3 Factoring a 3 - b 3 An expression of the form a 3 - b 3 is called a difference of cubes. The factored form of a 3 - b 3 is (a - b)(a 2 + ab + b 2) : (a - b)(a 2 + ab + b 2) = a 3 - a 2 b + a 2 b - ab 2 + ab 2 - b 3 = a 3 - b 3 For example, the factored form of 27x 3 - 8 ( a = 3x, b = 2 ) is (3x - 2)(9x 2 + 6x + 4) . Similarly, the factored form of 125x 3 -27y 3 ( a = 5x, b = 3y ) is (5x - 3y)(25x 2 +15xy + 9y 2) . To factor a difference of cubes, find a and b and plug them into (a - b)(a 2 + ab + b 2) . Factoring a 3 + b 3 An expression of the form a 3 + b 3 is called a sum of cubes. The factored form of a 3 + b 3 is (a + b)(a 2 - ab + b 2) : (a + b)(a 2 - ab + b 2) = a 3 + a 2 b - a 2 b - ab 2 + ab 2 + b 3 = a 3 - b 3 .