Algebra
Intermediate

Difference of Cubes

Factoring formula for a difference of two cubes.

Formula

a3−b3=(a−b)(a2+ab+b2)a^3 - b^3 = (a-b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)

Variables

a,bTerms

Example

27-8 = (3-2)(9+6+4) = 19

Did You Know?

Difference of cubes factors neatly, but difference of two squares is even simpler — a fact ancient Babylonians exploited to multiply.

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