why do we factor?
Factoring can make solving for roots of cubic equations quicker and easier as well. For example, the cubic equation x^3 + x^2 - x - 1 cannot be solved with the quadratic equation. The cubic formula*  can be of some help, but there is a faster way.or example, solving x^2 + 2x + 1 is easy with the quadratic formula, but knowing how to factor this equation makes solving for the roots quicker.