Let $a$ and $b$ be complex numbers. If $a + b = 4$ and $a^2 + b^2 = 6,$ then what is $a^3 + b^3?$
Ok, we have to do a number of things to set up this equation.
First off, we know that (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2
Plugging in the values we know, we get that
42=6+2ab10=2abab=5
It is crucial for us to know this information.
Now, let's take a look at a^3+b^3.
We know that (a+b)3=a3+3a2b+3ab2+b3
Now, take a look at the middle two terms. We can factor them to get (a+b)3=a3+3ab(a+b)+b3
We already know all these terms! We get
43=3(5)(4)+a3+b364−60=a3+b34=a3+b3
So 4 is our answer!
Thanks! :)