Formulas & tables/Mathematics/Special products/Sum and difference of cubes

Sum and difference of cubes

a3±b3=(a±b)(a2∓ab+b2)a^3\pm b^3=(a\pm b)(a^2\mp ab+b^2)

Result unit: — (expression)

What it describes

Factoring a sum and a difference of cubes into a product.

Symbols

a,ba, b
arbitrary expressions (numbers)

Where it comes from

A sum and a difference of cubes factor into the product of a binomial and a trinomial (watch the signs — the middle one is opposite).

When to use it

Factoring expressions involving cubes.

Example

Factor x3−8x^3-8.
Substitutiona=xa=x, b=2b=2.
Result(x−2)(x2+2x+4)(x-2)(x^2+2x+4).

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