Learn Before
Factoring
Factor by recognizing it as a difference of cubes and applying the difference of cubes pattern.
Step 1 — Does the binomial fit the pattern? The expression is a difference. The first term is a perfect cube, and the last term is also a perfect cube. So this is a difference of two cubes.
Step 2 — Write the terms as cubes. Identify and :
Step 3 — Apply the difference of cubes pattern :
Step 4 — Simplify:
Step 5 — Check by multiplying:
✓
The factored form is . Because this is a difference of cubes, the binomial factor uses subtraction and the trinomial factor has a positive middle term — the opposite sign from the binomial factor, as the pattern predicts.
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Ch.7 Factoring - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax
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