SOLUTION: How would I factor the following: a^6-b^6

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: How would I factor the following: a^6-b^6      Log On


   



Question 986381: How would I factor the following:
a^6-b^6

Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use cubes and squares
this is a difference of cubes
a^3-b^3=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2) coupled with a difference in squares as well (a^2-b^2)=(a+b)(a-b). The only difference is the "squares" are a^3-b^3, and each one of those terms is factorable.
Therefore, split this into a difference of squares problem, then factor each of those terms.
------------
This is (a^3+b^3)(a^3-b^3)
That is {(a+b)(a^2-ab+b^2)}X (a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)}