Question

How do you factor: # x^3 + y^3 #?

Answer 1

`(x^3+y^3)=(x+y)(x^2-xy+y^2)`

Explanation:

This is a sum of cubes.

This is a semi-important identity to know:

`(x^3+y^3)=(x+y)(x^2-xy+y^2)`

Although it doesn't apply directly to this question, it's also important to know that `(x^3-y^3)=(x-y)(x^2+xy+y^2)`.

This gives us the rule: `(x^3+-y^3)=(x+-y)(x^2∓xy+y^2)`