February 8th
February 8th
Sum or Difference of two Cubes
Perfect Cube + or – Perfect Cube
A perfect cube is a number or polynomial that is an exact
third power.
Get a PDF of similar solved problems sent to you!
Example:
1, 8, 27, 64, …are perfect cubes since 1 = 1 3,
8 = 2 3, 27 = 3 3 , and 64 = 4 3
…
Algebra Buster software can easily solve any algebra problem
including
sum of cubes such as this one.
See how Algebra Buster solves a similar problem
Factoring the sum or difference of two cubes requires the use
of a special factorization pattern that you need to memorize.
That is:
X 3+ Y 3 = (x + y)(X 2 - XY +
Y 2 )
X 3 -Y 3 = (X - Y)(X 2 + XY +
Y 2 )
The word “SOFAS” is a mnemonic device to help you
memorize this pattern.
Factoring the sum or difference of 2 cubes yields 2 factors.
One is a binomial factor ( 2 terms) and one is a trinomial factor
(3 terms).
Algebra Buster software will show you all the steps and explanations
if you need them. Here are
some examples. Our software actually helps you
learn Algebra so there is no need to hire an expensive tutor.
TO FACTOR
1. Write the binomial factor.
2 Work from the binomial factor to find the trinomial factor.
(After you find the binomial factor, you may use SOFAS to help
with the trinomial factor.)
Example:
Factor X 3 +125 First, find the binomial factor.
ASK!
| • What term to the third power
equals X 3 ? |
 |
first term |
| • What is the given sign? |
 |
sign |
| • What number to the third power
equals 125? |
 |
second term |
Therefore, the binomial factor is (X + 5). Keep the binomial
factor and use SOFAS to build the trinomial power.
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and
you will also receive 30 minutes of free live tutoring from tutor.com!
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