Question

How do you factor `y^3-64`?

Answer 1

`y^3-4^3=(y-4)(y^2+4y+16)`

Explanation:

`y^3-64` is a difference of cubes, `a^3– b^3 = (a – b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)`, where `a=y` and `b=4`.

Rewrite the equation.

`(y)^3-(4)^3=(y-4)(y^2+(y*4)+4^2)`

Simplify.

`y^3-4^3=(y-4)(y^2+4y+16)`