Pre-Algebra Examples

{(a - b)}^{3}

${(a - b)}^{3}$

Step 1

Use the Binomial Theorem.

a^{3} + 3 a^{2} (- b) + 3 a {(- b)}^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} + 3 a^{2} (- b) + 3 a {(- b)}^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2

Simplify each term.

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Step 2.1

Rewrite using the commutative property of multiplication.

a^{3} + 3 \cdot - 1 a^{2} b + 3 a {(- b)}^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} + 3 \cdot - 1 a^{2} b + 3 a {(- b)}^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2.2

Multiply

3

$3$ by

- 1

$- 1$ .

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a {(- b)}^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a {(- b)}^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2.3

Apply the product rule to

- b

$- b$ .

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a ({(- 1)}^{2} b^{2}) + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a ({(- 1)}^{2} b^{2}) + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2.4

Rewrite using the commutative property of multiplication.

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 \cdot {(- 1)}^{2} a b^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 \cdot {(- 1)}^{2} a b^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2.5

Raise

- 1

$- 1$ to the power of

2

$2$ .

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 \cdot 1 a b^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 \cdot 1 a b^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2.6

Multiply

3

$3$ by

1

$1$ .

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a b^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a b^{2} + {(- b)}^{3}$

Step 2.7

Apply the product rule to

- b

$- b$ .

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a b^{2} + {(- 1)}^{3} b^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a b^{2} + {(- 1)}^{3} b^{3}$

Step 2.8

Raise

- 1

$- 1$ to the power of

3

$3$ .

a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a b^{2} - b^{3}

$a^{3} - 3 a^{2} b + 3 a b^{2} - b^{3}$

${(a - b)}^{3}$

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