MODULE 1.

5: Factoring of Polynomials (Part 2)

Factoring Technique 4: Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

Sum of Two Cubes: a 3+ b3=( a+ b ) ( a2 −ab+b 2)

Difference of Two cubes: a 3−b3 =( a−b ) ( a2 +ab+ b2 )

Examples:

1. Factor the following expression completely: ( x 3−8 )

- Check for a GCF. If none, identify the two perfect cubes.
- Since it is the difference of two cubes, use the second
equation.
- The most important thing to remember is that the terms
should be expressed as a product of three equal terms,
since each term is a perfect cube.
- In this case, the factors of x 3 are ( x )( x ) ( x ) , while the factors of
8 are ( 2 ) ( 2 )( 2 ) .
- Therefore, a=x , and b=2
- Substitute the values of a and b to the right side of the
second equation.
- Answer: ( x−2 ) ( x 2+ 2 x +4 )
2. Factor the following expression completely: ( 8 x 3 +27 )
3. Factor the following expression completely: ( 2 c d 3−128 c )
Factor the ff. expressions completely:

1. f 6 +8 g 3
2. 2 m4−16 m n3
3. 27 j k 4 + jk l 3
4. x 6−8
5. 64 x 6−1