Solving a difference of two cubes is an advanced concept in algebra. It involves expanding the equation slightly to the form of a factored binomial. If you attempt to use the traditional method of applying the quadratic formula to the equation, you will find the result yields a negative number under the radical, giving you no real root. However, using the roots of the two cubes in the equation, you can easily solve the problem of finding the difference between them.
Instructions
-
-
1
Set the root of the first cube equal to "a" and the root of the second one equal to "b."
-
2
Calculate the difference of (a - b).
-
-
3
Calculate the sum of (a^2 + ab + b^2).
-
4
Multiply the results from Step 2 and Step 3 to get the difference between the two cubes.