LESSON 3: Factoring the sum and difference of two cubes

To factor an expression in the form of the sum and difference of two cubes, we can use the formula:
a3 + b3 = (a + b) (a2 – ab + b2)
(Sum of cubes) =(binomial) (trinomial)

a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)
(Difference of cubes) =(binomial) (trinomial)

Take note that the factors are a binomial and a trinomial.

Example 1: Find the factors of 27x3 + 8.

Solution:(Long method)
a. To find the binomial factor, the following steps are used:
Step 1. Take the cube root of the first term of the given expression.
 √ 27 x 3 = 3x; since (3x)3 =27x3. Hence, 3x represents the term (a).
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Step 2. Find the cube root of the second term of the given expression.
 ∛8 = 2; since (2)3 = 8. Hence, 2 represents the term (b).
Thus, the binomial factor is 3x + 2.

b. To find the Trinomial factor, take these steps.

Step 1. Take the square of the first term of the binomial factor; a2 = (3x)2=9x2; minus
Step 2. The product of the two terms of the binomial factor; (a)(b) = (3x) (2) =6x; plus
Step 3. The square of the second term of the binomial factor; b2 = 22 =4.
Thus, the trinomial factor is 9x2 - 6x + 4.
Therefore, the factors of 27x3 + 8 are (3x + 2) (9x2 - 6x + 4).

Example 2: Find the factors of 27x3 - 8.

Solution:(Short Method)
Step 1. Find the equivalence for the terms a and b.
 √ 27 x 3 = 3x; since (3x)3 =27x3. Hence, 3x represents the term (a).
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 ∛8 = 2; since (2)3 = 8. Hence, 2 represents the term (b).

Step 2. Use the result of the term for a and b in step 1 to factor the difference of two cubes completely by using
the formula below.
a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)
(3x)3 – (2)3 = (3x – 2) (3x)2 + (3x) (2) + (2)2
= (3x – 2) (9x2 + 6x + 4)
Therefore, the complete factor of 27x3 – 8 is (3x – 2) (9x2 + 6x + 4).