Here are the steps required for factoring a sum of cubes:

Step 1: Decide if the two terms have anything in common, called the greatest common factor or GCF. If so, factor out the
GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part of your final answer.
Step 2 : Rewrite the original problem as a difference of two perfect cubes.
Step 3 : Use the following sayings to help write the answer.
a) “Write What You See”
b) “Square-Multiply-Square”
c) “Same, Different, End on a Positive”
Step 4 : Use these three pieces to write the final answer.

Example 1 – Factor:

Step 1: Decide if the two terms have anything in common,

called the greatest common factor or GCF. If so, factor out
the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part of your
final answer. In this case, the two terms only have a 1 in
common which is of no help.

Step 2: Rewrite the original problem as a difference of two

perfect cubes.

Step 3a: “Write What You See” If you disregard the

parenthesis and the cubes in step 2, you should see:

Step 3b: “Square-Multiply-Square” If you square the first

term, x, you get x2. If you multiply the two terms, x and 4,
you get 4x. Finally, if you square the second term, 4, you get
16.

Step 3c: “Same, Different. End on a Positive” This will

determine the signs of the problem. The first sign should be
the same as the original question, the next sign should be
different then the first, and the last sign should always be
positive.

Step 4: Write the final answer.

Example 2 – Factor:

Step 1: Decide if the two terms have anything in common,

called the greatest common factor or GCF. If so, factor out
the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part of your
final answer. In this case, the two terms only have a 1 in
common which is of no help.

Step 2: Rewrite the original problem as a difference of two

perfect cubes.

Step 3a: “Write What You See” If you disregard the

parenthesis, the cubes, and the 2 in step 2, you should see:

Step 3b: “Square-Multiply-Square” If you square the first

term, 2x, you get 4x2. If you multiply the two terms, 2x and 5,
you get 10x. Finally, if you square the second term, 5, you get
25.

Step 3c: “Same, Different. End on a Positive” This will

determine the signs of the problem. The first sign should be
the same as the original question, the next sign should be
different then the first, and the last sign should always be
positive.
Step 4: Write the final answer.

Example 3 – Solve:

Step 1: Decide if the two terms have anything in common,

called the greatest common factor or GCF. If so, factor out
the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part of your
final answer. In this case, the two terms only have a 1 in
common which is of no help.

Step 2: Rewrite the original problem as a difference of two

perfect cubes.

Step 3a: “Write What You See” If you disregard the

parenthesis, the cubes, and the 2 in step 2, you should see:

Step 3b: “Square-Multiply-Square” If you square the first

term, 5x, you get 25x2. If you multiply the two terms, 5x and
6y, you get 30xy. Finally, if you square the second term, 6y,
you get 36y2.

Step 3c: “Same, Different. End on a Positive” This will

determine the signs of the problem. The first sign should be
the same as the original question, the next sign should be
different then the first, and the last sign should always be
positive.

Step 4: Write the final answer.

Example 4 – Solve:

Step 1: Decide if the two terms have anything in common,

called the greatest common factor or GCF. If so, factor out
the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part of your
final answer. In this case, the two terms have a 3 in common,
which leaves:

Step 2: Rewrite the original problem as a difference of two

perfect cubes.

Step 3a: “Write What You See” If you disregard the

parenthesis, the cubes, and the 3 in step 2, you should see:

Step 3b: “Square-Multiply-Square” If you square the first

term, 3x, you get 9x2. If you multiply the two terms, 3x and
4y, you get 12xy. Finally, if you square the second term, 4y,
you get 16y2.

Step 3c: “Same, Different. End on a Positive” This will

determine the signs of the problem. The first sign should be
the same as the original question, the next sign should be
different then the first, and the last sign should always be
positive.

Step 4: Write the final answer, do not forget the 3 that was
factored out in the first step.