Factor the expression \(x^3 - y^3\).
Step 2: Substitute \(a = x\) and \(b = y\) into the formula: \((x - y)(x^2 + xy + y^2)\).
Step 1 :Step 1: Recognize the expression as a difference of cubes which can be factored using the formula: \(a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)\). In this case, \(a = x\) and \(b = y\).
Step 2 :Step 2: Substitute \(a = x\) and \(b = y\) into the formula: \((x - y)(x^2 + xy + y^2)\).