Factor out the greatest common factor first
Use the difference of squares formula: a^2 – b^2 = (a – b)(a + b)
Use the sum of cubes formula: a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)(a^2 – ab + b^2)
Use the difference of cubes formula: a^3 – b^3 = (a – b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)
Rewrite the binomial to match a known factoring pattern
Check for common factors in each term after factoring
Multiply the factors back to verify the result