

The Cube of A Binomial
Anything raised to the power 3 is known as a cube in arithmetic and algebraic terms which means to cube a number just multiply its three times.The cube of any number is denoted by superscript 3.The cube number is when a number is multiplied by twice itself.
A binomial is multiplied by itself three times to form the cube of a binomial.Thus we can say that the cube of any number ‘a ‘ can expressed as \[a \times a \times a\] or \[{a^3}\] is known as cube number. This binomial is an algebra expression consisting of two terms i.e., a+b or a-b and its cube can be expressed as \[(a - b) \times (a - b) \times (a - b)\] or
\[{(a - b)^3}\].

Cube of Binomial
Cube of The Difference of Two Binomials
The basic formula for the cube of difference of two binomial \[{(a - b)^3}\]is which can be expanded as follow:
\[\begin{array}{l}{(a - b)^3} = (a - b)(a - b)(a - b)\\\ = ({a^2} - 2ab + {b^2})(a - b)\\\ = {a^3} - 3{a^2}b + 3a{b^2} - {b^3}\\\ = {a^3} - 3ab(a - b) - {b^3}\end{array}\]
We can summarize the cube of a binomial with a subtraction sign in between can be expressed as \[{(a - b)^3} = {a^3} - 3{a^2}b + 3a{b^2} - {b^3}\] .
Example: \[{(x - 4)^3}\]
Solution: \[{(x - 4)^3} = {x^3} - 3{x^2}4 + {\kern 1pt} 3x{4^2} - {4^3}\]
\[{(x - 4)^3} = {x^3} - 12{x^2} + 48{x} - {64}\]
Cube of Difference
Without actually computing the cubes, the difference of cubes formula is used to determine the difference of cubes between two numbers. The cube binomials are factorized using the difference of cubes formula. The cube of the difference between two expressions is equal to the cube of the first, minus three times the product of the squares of the first and second, plus three times the product of the first and second squares of the first and second, minus the cube of the second.
Formula:\[{a^3} - {b^3} = (a - b)({a^2} + ab + {b^2})\]
Cube of Difference Examples
The following are examples of the cube of differences i.e.,
Solve it
a) \[({x^3} - 125)\]
Solution:\[ \Rightarrow {x^3} - {5^3} = (x - 5)({x^2} + 5x + 25)\]
b) Factorize the expression\[(8{x^3} - 125)\] by using the difference of cubes formula.
Solution:We can write the given expression as \[8{x^3} - 125 = {(2x)^3} - {5^3}\]
Substituting the values a=2x and b= 5 in the formula of the difference of cube\[ = (2x - 5)({(2x)^2} + (2x) \times 5 + {(5)^2})\]
\[= (2x - 5)(4{x^2} + 10x + 25)\]
The Cube of the Difference of 1 and A Variable
The cube of difference of 1 and a variable can be expressed as \[(1 - {x^3})\] where a=1 and b=x and then we solve it in the same way using the cube of difference formula.
For example:\[\begin{array}{l}(1 - 125{x^3}) = (1){}^3 - {(5x)^3}\\ \Rightarrow (1 - 5x)(1 + 5x + 25{x^2})\end{array}\]
Solved Questions
1.Expand it: \[{(4x - 3y)^3}\]
Ans: \[\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow {(4x)^3} - 3{(4x)^2}(3y) + 3(4x){(3y)^2} - {(3y)^3}\\ \Rightarrow 64{x^3} - 144{x^2}y + 108x{y^2} - 27{y^3}\end{array}\]
2.Factorise: \[(1 - 64{x^3}{y^3})\]
Here, a=1 and b=4xy
Ans:\[\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow {(1)^3} - {(4xy)^3}\\ \Rightarrow (1 - 4xy)[({(1)^2} + (1)(4xy) + {(4xy)^2}]\\ \Rightarrow (1 - 4xy)(1 + 4xy + 16{x^2}{y^2})\end{array}\]
3. Use the formula and evaluate (97)3
\[\begin{array}{l}{(97)^3} = {(100 - 3)^3}\\\end{array}\]
we know that \[{(a - b)^3} = {a^3} - 3{a^2}b + 3a{b^2} - {b^3}\]
a=100 and b=3
\[\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow {(100)^3} - 3{(100)^2}(3) + 3(100){(3)^2} - {(3)^3}\\ \Rightarrow 1000000 - 90000 + 2700 - 27\\ \Rightarrow 912,673\end{array}\]
Therefore,\[{(97)^3} =912,673\]
Summary
The most widely used perfect cubes are those whose roots are integers rather than decimals. To factor the differences between the two perfect cubes, keep in mind that the variance of the cube roots of the two perfect cubes is equal to the product of their cube roots and the sum of their squares Binomial is the name for an algebraic expression with only two terms. It is a polynomial with two terms. It is also referred to as the sum or difference of two or more monomials.
FAQs on Cube of the Difference of Two Binomials
1. What is the standard formula for the cube of the difference of two binomials, (a - b)³?
The standard algebraic identity for the cube of the difference of two binomials is given by the formula:
(a - b)³ = a³ - 3a²b + 3ab² - b³.
This formula is used to expand a binomial expression of the form (a - b) that is raised to the power of 3. The expansion results in a polynomial with four terms.
2. How can you use the (a - b)³ formula to expand an algebraic expression like (2x - 3y)³?
To expand (2x - 3y)³ using the formula, you substitute 'a' with '2x' and 'b' with '3y'. The step-by-step application is as follows:
- Identify 'a' and 'b': Here, a = 2x and b = 3y.
- Substitute into the formula: (2x)³ - 3(2x)²(3y) + 3(2x)(3y)² - (3y)³.
- Simplify each term: 8x³ - 3(4x²)(3y) + 3(2x)(9y²) - 27y³.
- Final Expansion: 8x³ - 36x²y + 54xy² - 27y³.
3. How is the formula for (a - b)³ derived?
The formula is derived by multiplying the binomial (a - b) by itself three times. The derivation process is:
(a - b)³ = (a - b)(a - b)(a - b).
First, multiply two of the binomials:
(a - b)(a - b) = a² - 2ab + b².
Next, multiply this result by the remaining (a - b):
(a² - 2ab + b²)(a - b) = a(a² - 2ab + b²) - b(a² - 2ab + b²)
= (a³ - 2a²b + ab²) - (a²b - 2ab² + b³)
= a³ - 2a²b + ab² - a²b + 2ab² - b³
Combining like terms gives the final formula: a³ - 3a²b + 3ab² - b³.
4. What is the key difference between the expansion of (a - b)³ and the factorization of a³ - b³?
These are two distinct algebraic identities that students often confuse. The key difference lies in their purpose and structure:
- Expansion of (a - b)³: This is used to expand a binomial raised to a power. The result is a four-term polynomial: a³ - 3a²b + 3ab² - b³.
- Factorization of a³ - b³: This is used to factor a binomial that is a difference of two perfect cubes. The result is a product of a binomial and a trinomial: (a - b)(a² + ab + b²).
In short, (a - b)³ creates a longer expression from a compact one, while a³ - b³ breaks a two-term expression into its factors.
5. Why do the terms in the expansion of (a - b)³ have alternating signs?
The alternating signs (+, -, +, -) in the expansion of (a - b)³ are a direct result of the powers of the negative term, -b. When the formula is expanded, the sign of each term depends on the power to which -b is raised:
- The first term, a³, is positive.
- The second term includes (-b)¹, resulting in -3a²b.
- The third term includes (-b)², which is positive (b²), resulting in +3ab².
- The fourth term includes (-b)³, which is negative (-b³), resulting in -b³.
6. Can the (a - b)³ identity be used for quick numerical calculations?
Yes, this identity is a very useful trick for mentally calculating the cube of numbers close to a multiple of 10 or 100. For example, to find 99³:
- Rewrite 99 as (100 - 1).
- Apply the formula (a - b)³ where a = 100 and b = 1.
- (100)³ - 3(100)²(1) + 3(100)(1)² - (1)³
- = 1,000,000 - 3(10,000) + 3(100) - 1
- = 1,000,000 - 30,000 + 300 - 1
- = 970,299
This method is often faster and less error-prone than direct multiplication.
7. In which mathematical topics is the formula for the cube of a difference of two binomials important?
This algebraic identity is a foundational concept with applications across various areas of mathematics, including:
- Polynomials: For expanding, simplifying, and factoring higher-degree polynomial expressions.
- Solving Equations: It is used to solve cubic equations that can be structured in the form of (a - b)³.
- Binomial Theorem: The formula is a specific case of the Binomial Theorem for n=3, which is crucial in algebra, combinatorics, and probability.
- Calculus: Used in finding derivatives and integrals of polynomial functions.











