Factor the polynomial \(x^3 - 8\)
Substitute the values of \(a\) and \(b\) into the formula: \(x^3 - 8 = (x - 2)(x^2 + 2x + 4)\)
Step 1 :Recognize the given expression as a difference of cubes, \(x^3 - 2^3\)
Step 2 :Apply the formula for factoring a difference of cubes, \(a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)\), with \(a = x\) and \(b = 2\)
Step 3 :Substitute the values of \(a\) and \(b\) into the formula: \(x^3 - 8 = (x - 2)(x^2 + 2x + 4)\)