Calculating the Value of $99^3$

To find the value of $99^3$, we can use the algebraic identity for the cube of a binomial difference: $(a-b)^3 = a^3 - 3a^2b + 3ab^2 - b^3$.

We rewrite $99$ as $(100 - 1)$. In this case, $a = 100$ and $b = 1$.

Applying the Formula

• Term 1 ($a^3$): Calculate $100^3$. $100^3 = 100 \times 100 \times 100 = 1,000,000$
• Term 2 ($-3a^2b$): Calculate $-3 \times (100)^2 \times 1$. $-3 \times 100^2 \times 1 = -3 \times 10,000 \times 1 = -30,000$
• Term 3 ($+3ab^2$): Calculate $+3 \times 100 \times (1)^2$. $+3 \times 100 \times 1^2 = +3 \times 100 \times 1 = +300$
• Term 4 ($-b^3$): Calculate $-1^3$. $-1^3 = -1$

Final Calculation

Sum the results from the previous step:

$99^3 = 1,000,000 - 30,000 + 300 - 1$

$99^3 = 970,000 + 300 - 1$

$99^3 = 970,300 - 1$

$99^3 = 970,299$

The value of $99^3$ is $970,299$.