Question

Factor.
27^3-125

Answer 1

Is that 27x^3 - 125?

Answer 2

yeah, sorry

Answer 3

There is a special factoring for this. Notice that the first term, 27x^3 is the cube of 3x. Also, 125 is 5^3. This is called a difference of cubes.

Answer 4

Alright. Well, where would I go from there? I don't understand what to do :/

Answer 5

a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)

Answer 6

That's the general rule for a difference of cubes. You have:
(3x)^3 - 5^3, so for you, a = 3x, and b = 5, in the general rule.

Answer 7

Oh, okay. Thanks! ^^ I think I've got it from here

Answer 8

ok