Math  /  Algebra

QuestionFactor the following sum of two cubes. 9x3+729 x^{3}+72
Select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to complete your choice. A. 9x3+72=9 x^{3}+72= \square (Factor completely. Simplify your answer.) B. The polynomial is prime.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're asked to factor the expression 9x3+729x^3 + 72, which means rewriting it as a product of simpler terms, if possible.
If it can't be factored, it's called a prime polynomial. Watch out! Don't forget to factor out any greatest common factor (GCF) before trying to apply any special factoring formulas!

STEP 2

1. Factor out the GCF
2. Apply the sum of cubes formula

STEP 3

Let's **look** at the expression 9x3+729x^3 + 72.
We need to find the **greatest common factor** (GCF) of the two terms.
The GCF of 99 and 7272 is **9**, so we can **factor out** a 99 from both terms.

STEP 4

**Factoring out** the 99 gives us: 9x3+72=9(x3+8)9x^3 + 72 = 9(x^3 + 8) Remember, factoring out a 99 is the same as dividing each term by 99.
We can check our work by distributing the 99 back: 9x3+98=9x3+729 \cdot x^3 + 9 \cdot 8 = 9x^3 + 72.
Perfect!

STEP 5

Now, we have 9(x3+8)9(x^3 + 8).
Notice that 88 can be written as 232^3.
So, we can **rewrite** the expression inside the parentheses as a **sum of cubes**: x3+8=x3+23x^3 + 8 = x^3 + 2^3 This is exciting!
We can use the **sum of cubes formula**, which says: a3+b3=(a+b)(a2ab+b2)a^3 + b^3 = (a+b)(a^2 - ab + b^2)

STEP 6

In our case, a=xa = x and b=2b = 2.
Let's **apply** the formula: x3+23=(x+2)(x2x2+22)x^3 + 2^3 = (x+2)(x^2 - x \cdot 2 + 2^2) x3+23=(x+2)(x22x+4)x^3 + 2^3 = (x+2)(x^2 - 2x + 4)Don't forget about the 99 we factored out earlier!

STEP 7

Putting it all together, our **fully factored expression** is: 9(x+2)(x22x+4)9(x+2)(x^2 - 2x + 4)

STEP 8

The fully factored form of 9x3+729x^3 + 72 is 9(x+2)(x22x+4)9(x+2)(x^2 - 2x + 4).
So the answer is A. 9x3+72=9(x+2)(x22x+4)9x^3 + 72 = 9(x+2)(x^2 - 2x + 4).

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