Factoring

Factoring

Factoring cubics

Sum and Difference of Cubes

Sum of cubes:

$$a^3+b^3=(a+b)(a^2-ab+b^2)$$

Difference of cubes:

$$a^3-b^3=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)$$

Note that in both cases

• the first operation on the right side is the same as the operation on the left side
• the second operation on the right side is the opposite of the operation on the left side
• the third operation on the right side is always $+$