Question

(a + b)(a 2 - ab + b 2)

Answer 1

a^3 + b^3 ("the sum of two cubes")

Explanation:

If you want to express exponentiation please use the symbol " ^ ": a^2.

(a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2) is a "special product" that you should learn, even though you can multiply out these two factors using the Distributive Property of Multiplication. Remember this: (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2) = a^3 + b^3, which is "the sum of two cubes."

Answer 2

a³ + b³

Explanation:

Given

(a + b)(a² - ab + b²)

Each term in the second factor is multiplied by each term in the first factor, that is

a(a² - ab + b²) + b(a² - ab + b²) ← distribute both parenthesis

= a³ - a²b + ab² + a²b - ab² + b³ ← collect like terms

= a³ + b³