Factoring Homework: Problems and Solutions

[Andy111]

Homework Statement

I had a topic somewhere about factoring, and now I have some more factoring problems I don't understand.

such as:

1)(x-1)^{3} - (x+2)^{3}

2)64x^{3} - 27y^{3}

3)3ab - 20cd -15ac + 4bd

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[rocomath]

1. If I use substitutions, it may make things a little easier.

a=(x-1)
b=(x+2)

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

(x-1)^3-(x+2)^3=[(x-1)-(x+2)][(x-1)^2+(x-1)(x+2)+(x+2)^2]
=(x-1-x-2)(x^2-2x+1+x^2+x-2+x^2+4x+4)

Does this confuse you more? Continue simplifying and collecting like terms and it's solved.

2. Can you re-write it?

What number must you raise to the power of 3, to attain 64 and 27? You want to choose a number so you can raise both your coefficient and variable to the same power.

3. Factor by grouping.

 

[Andy111]

No, that's not confusing, I understand what you're doing in 1.

I know 4 cubed and 3 cubed = 64 and 27, but I don't know how it looks in factored form.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Then you should understand that rocophyics just told you what it looks like in factored form: x³- y³= (x- y)(x²+ xy+ y²).

 

[tiny-tim]

I know 4 cubed and 3 cubed = 64 and 27, but I don't know how it looks in factored form.

Hi Andy!

64x^{3} - 27y^{3} = 4^{3}x^{3} - 3^{3}y^{3}: does that help?

 

[rocomath]

a^mb^m=(ab)^m

 

[Andy111]

Oh, okay, so 2 is like 1, but with coefficients.

 

[tiny-tim]

You've got 1) and 2) now.

Have you got 3)?

If not, there are various ways of doing it - one is to write it as a 2x2 matrix.

[size=-2](if you're ok now, don't forget to mark thread "solved"!)[/size]​

 

[Andy111]

Yeah, I got 3,

I believe this is right (3a + 4d)(b - 5c).

I understand the formula for x^3 - y^3, but what the minus sign is instead a plus sign?

 

[rocomath]

(x+y)(x^2-xy+y^2)

Replace y, with (-y) and tell me what your new equation is.

 

[tiny-tim]

factoring x^3 + y^3 ?

Yeah, I got 3,

I believe this is right (3a + 4d)(b - 5c).

Yay!

I understand the formula for x^3 - y^3, but what the minus sign is instead a plus sign?

Hint: divide by y^3, so you get (x/y)^3 + 1.

Put x/y = z, so you get z^3 + 1.

Can you see how to factor that?

(if not, come back for another hint)

 

[HallsofIvy]

Yeah, I got 3,

I believe this is right (3a + 4d)(b - 5c).

I understand the formula for x^3 - y^3, but what the minus sign is instead a plus sign?

x^n- y^n= (x- y)(x^{n-1}+ x^{n-2}y+ x^{n-3}y^2\cdot\cdot\cdot+ x^2y^{n-3}+ xy^{n-2}+ y^{n-1}
for n any positive integer.

x^n+ y^n= (x+ y)(x^{n-1}- x^{n-2}y+ x^{n-2}y^2\cdot\cdot\cdot- x^2y^{n-3}+ xy^{n-2}- y^{n-1}
for n any odd integer.