Question

factor
$y^3 - 1$

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the difference of cubes formula

The formula for factoring the difference of cubes is \(a^3 - b^3=(a - b)(a^2+ab + b^2)\). Here, \(a = y\) and \(b = 1\) since \(y^3-1=y^3 - 1^3\).

Step2: Apply the formula

Substitute \(a = y\) and \(b = 1\) into the formula. So, \(y^3-1=(y - 1)(y^2+y\times1 + 1^2)=(y - 1)(y^2 + y+1)\).

Answer:

\((y - 1)(y^2 + y + 1)\)