Let $a$ and $b$ be complex numbers. If $a + b = 4$ and $a^2 + b^2 = 6,$ then what is $a^3 + b^3?$
Let's use a whole number of equations to solve this problem.
First off, we know that (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2
We ALSO know that (a+b)2=42=16
Thus, we have the equation a2+2ab+b2=16
We are given a^2+b^2 in the problem, so plugging that in, we get
6+2ab=16
We can now find ab. This will come in handy later.
2ab=10ab=5
Alright, let's move on to what we are TRYING to find.
Let's note that we can split a^3+b^3 into
a3+b3=(a+b)(a2−ab+b2)
WAIT! We already know the values of every number! Plugging in 4, 6, and 5, we get
We have
(4)(6−5)=4
So 4 SHOULD be the answer.
I might have a mistake during the calculations...not sure.
Thanks! :)