Q. \[ x^3 – 27 \]
Answer
We factor the difference of cubes.
\[
x^3-27=x^3-3^3=(x-3)(x^2+3x+9)
\]
The real solution comes from \(x-3=0\).
\[
x=3
\]
Since \(x^2+3x+9\) has discriminant \(3^2-4\cdot1\cdot9= -27<0\), it has no real roots.
Final result: \(x^3-27=(x-3)(x^2+3x+9)\), and the only real solution is \(x=3\).
Detailed Explanation
We want to work with the expression \(x^3 – 27\). A key goal in many algebra problems is to factor an expression. This one is a difference of cubes.
Step 1: Recognize the pattern
Recall the difference of cubes identity:
\[
a^3 – b^3 = (a – b)(a^2 + ab + b^2).
\]
Match it to \(x^3 – 27\). Notice that \(x^3\) is a cube already, and \(27\) is also a cube because \(27 = 3^3\).
So we can rewrite:
\[
x^3 – 27 = x^3 – 3^3.
\]
Step 2: Apply the identity
Let \(a = x\) and \(b = 3\). Substitute into the formula:
\[
x^3 – 3^3 = (x – 3)\left(x^2 + x\cdot 3 + 3^2\right).
\]
Step 3: Simplify inside the parentheses
Compute each term:
- \(x^2\) stays as \(x^2\)
- \(x\cdot 3 = 3x\)
- \(3^2 = 9\)
So the expression becomes:
\[
(x – 3)(x^2 + 3x + 9).
\]
Step 4: Final answer
The factored form of \(x^3 – 27\) is:
\[
x^3 – 27 = (x – 3)(x^2 + 3x + 9).
\]
Graph
Algebra FAQ
Factor \(x^3-27\) completely?
What are the real solutions to \(x^3-27=0\)?
Find all complex roots of \(x^3-27=0\).
Graph/intercepts of \(y=x^3-27\) ?
Solve \(x^3=27\) without factoring.
Determine whether \(x^3-27\) is divisible by \(x-3\).
Check variations and steps fast.
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