factoring

[kelli30]

I am having trouble factoring out b^6 - 64

 

[Denis]

I am having trouble factoring out b^6 - 64

RULE: a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b)

b^6 - 64 = (b^3)^2 - 8^2

Finish it...

 

[swaroop]

Denis was correct but not completely,
you will end with two terms which need to be further factorised. Hint is
a^3+b^3=(a+b)(a^2-ab+b^2)
a^3-b^3=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)
Final answer will go as (b+2)(b-2)(b^2+2b+4)(b^2-2b+4)