Factoring

[mathdad]

Factor completely.

x^8 - x^5

x^5(x^3 - 1)

The binomial term in the parentheses is actually the difference of cubes.

Yes?

 

[Steven G]

Yes.

OK, so you know how to recognize the sum and difference of cubes. Good for you. Now the question is do you know how to factor them?

 

[mathdad]

Yes.

OK, so you know how to recognize the sum and difference of cubes. Good for you. Now the question is do you know how to factor them?

Of course, I know how to factor the sum and difference of cubes. All tedious math work will not be typed here. Keyboard is too small. Get it?

 

[Otis]

Of course, I know how to factor [a sum or difference] of cubes.

We can't tell what you know.

All tedious math work will not be typed here ...

Well, you're the one who posted the instruction to "factor completely".

What is your definition of "tedious math work"?

I mean, with all of the restrictions that you're placing on the tutors here, how are we supposed to figure out (or even guess) which comments you'll welcome and which ones you won't or which mistakes we can point out and which ones we can't?

 

[mathdad]

We can't tell what you know.



Well, you're the one who posted the instruction to "factor completely".

What is your definition of "tedious math work"?

I mean, with all of the restrictions that you're placing on the tutors here, how are we supposed to figure out (or even guess) which comments you'll welcome and which ones you won't or which mistakes we can point out and which ones we can't?

Otis,

Sometimes, all I need is a boost, a hint, another method to solve the question on my own. If tutors do all the work, this is no good. Again, it TAKES A MILLION YEARS to to type every single step using my cell phone. Get it?

 

[Otis]

... Sometimes, all I need is a ... hint ...

... If tutors do all the work, this is no good ...

You're changing the subject, again.

Nobody here can know what you're thinking, unless you spell it out. If you don't want to discuss some part of an exercise, tell us! If you want us to know that you're not interested in finishing an exercise, say so up front!

\(\;\)

 

[topsquark]

Of course, I know how to factor the sum and difference of cubes.

Consider that you were asking if \(\displaystyle x^3 - 1\) is the difference between two cubes. If you have to verify that \(\displaystyle x^3\) and 1 are perfect cubes then we have to conclude that you don't actually know how to do it since otherwise posting the question is useless. You set the conditions for responses just by asking the question. Should we not try to help you?

-Dan

 

[mathdad]

You're changing the subject, again.

Nobody here can know what you're thinking, unless you spell it out. If you don't want to discuss some part of an exercise, tell us! If you want us to know that you're not interested in finishing an exercise, say so up front!

\(\;\)

I will be very specific from now on.

 

[mathdad]

Consider that you were asking if \(\displaystyle x^3 - 1\) is the difference between two cubes. If you have to verify that \(\displaystyle x^3\) and 1 are perfect cubes then we have to conclude that you don't actually know how to do it since otherwise posting the question is useless. You set the conditions for responses just by asking the question. Should we not try to help you?

-Dan

Of course, I thank all of you for your help. There are questions, however, that I simply need a hint or two to proceed. Trust me, it takes forever to type problems using my cell phone.

 

[Otis]

Trust me, it takes forever to type problems using my cell phone.

If time is your problem, then the solution is easy. Stop posting so much.

?