Recognize the Difference of Squares: Step Title: Recognize the Difference of SquaresConcise Step Description: Identify that the expression is a difference of squares, which can be factored into the form (a2−b2)=(a+b)(a−b).Step Calculation: Recognize that 16x6 is a perfect square (4x3)2 and 81 is also a perfect square (9)2.Step Output: The expression can be written as (4x3)2−(9)2.
Apply the Difference of Squares Formula: Step Title: Apply the Difference of Squares FormulaConcise Step Description: Use the difference of squares formula to factor the expression.Step Calculation: Factor the expression as (4x3+9)(4x3−9).Step Output: Factored form is (4x3+9)(4x3−9).
Check for Further Factoring: Step Title: Check for Further FactoringConcise Step Description: Check if the resulting binomials can be factored further.Step Calculation: Notice that 4x3+9 cannot be factored further as it is not a difference of squares. However, 4x3−9 is a difference of squares and can be factored further.Step Output: The expression (4x3−9) can be factored further.
Factor the Remaining Difference of Squares: Step Title: Factor the Remaining Difference of SquaresConcise Step Description: Factor the binomial (4x3−9) which is a difference of squares.Step Calculation: Recognize that (4x3−9) can be written as (2x)3−(3)3, which is a difference of cubes, not squares. This requires using the difference of cubes formula: a3−b3=(a−b)(a2+ab+b2).Step Output: Factored form is (2x−3)((2x)2+(2x)(3)+(3)2).
Complete the Factoring of the Difference of Cubes: Step Title: Complete the Factoring of the Difference of CubesConcise Step Description: Apply the difference of cubes formula to the expression (2x−3)((2x)2+(2x)(3)+(3)2).Step Calculation: The factored form is (2x−3)(4x2+6x+9).Step Output: The completely factored form is (4x3+9)(2x−3)(4x2+6x+9).