How do you factor 256a^3 + 4?

1 Answer
Mar 17, 2018

4(4a+1)(16a^2-4a+1)

Explanation:

Given: 256a^3+4

Factor out the greatest common factor.

=4(64a^3+1)

Now, we need a simple observation that 64a^3=(4a)^3.

=4((4a)^3+1^3)

Apply (a^3+b^3)=(a+b)(a^2-ab+b^2)

=4(4a+1)(16a^2-4a+1)