Question

Tomas learned that the product of the polynomials (a + b)(a2 – ab + b2) was a special pattern that would result in a sum of cubes, a3 + b3. His teacher put four products on the board and asked the class to identify which product would result in a sum of cubes if a = 2x and b = 1.

Answer 1

where are these four products ?

Answer 2

Which product should Tomas choose?

(2x + 1)(2x2 + 2x – 1)
(2x + 1)(4x3 + 2x – 1)
(2x + 1)(4x2 – 2x + 1)
(2x + 1)(2x2 – 2x + 1)

Answer 3

since you're given the formula (a + b)(a^2 – ab + b^2) , as well as your a and b values a = 2x and b = 1, simply plug these a and b into the formula and see which answer choice matches