SOLUTION: hi could you please break down this question for me (a+b)(a^2+b^2)(a-b)

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: hi could you please break down this question for me (a+b)(a^2+b^2)(a-b)      Log On


   

Question 279742: hi could you please break down this question for me
(a+b)(a^2+b^2)(a-b)
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hint: Rearrange the terms to get %28a%2Bb%29%28a-b%29%28a%5E2%2Bb%5E2%29. Now FOIL %28a%2Bb%29%28a-b%29 to get a%5E2-b%5E2. If we let x=a%5E2 and y=b%5E2 we then get %28x-y%29%28x%2By%29. FOIL this and simply plug in x=a%5E2 and y=b%5E2