What Are Cube Numbers? Explained for Primary School Teachers, Parents and Kids

Here you can find out what cube numbers are, why they are called cube numbers and how you can help children to understand cube numbers as part of their maths learning at home.

What is a cube number?

A cube number is found when we multiply a number by itself and then itself again. The symbol for cubed is ³.

For example, 8 is a cube number because it’s 2 x 2 x 2; this is also written as 2³ (“two cubed”).

Another example of a cube number is 27 because it’s 3³ (3 x 3 x 3, or “three cubed”).

A cube number can also be called a number cubed.

• 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8

• 3³ = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27

• 4³ = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64

• 5³ = 5 × 5 × 5 = 125

Cube numbers

Watch this video to find out how to teach cube numbers and square numbers to primary aged children.

List of cube numbers up to 10 x 10 x 10

The first 10 cube numbers are:

1 = 1 x 1 x 1 or 1³
8 = 2 x 2 x 2 or 2³
27 = 3 x 3 x 3 or 3³
64 = 4 x 4 x 4 or 4³
125 = 5 x 5 x 5 or 5³
216 = 6 x 6 x 6 or 6³
343 = 7 x 7 x 7 or 7³
512 = 8 x 8 x 8 or 8³
729 = 9 x 9 x 9 or 9³
1,000 = 10 x 10 x 10 or 10³

The cube numbers from 1 to 100 are: 1, 8, 27, 64

You will see from these examples that a cube number can be odd numbers or an even number. They can also be positive integers or a negative number. However, if the number is negative, its cube will always be negative too.

How to cube a number

To cube a number all you do is multiply it by itself and then itself again. This works for all numbers.
So for example 11 cubed is 11³ or 11 x 11 x 11 which is 1331.
Another example could be 256³ or 256 x 256 x 256 which is 16,777,216

As you can see when you cube a whole number, you’ll find the numbers get very big very quickly!

Perfect Cube Number

Perfect cube numbers can be found when sum of three consecutive odd numbers are a cube number.

For example, the cube of 3 is 27.

27 is the sum of 3 consecutive odd numbers as well: 7 + 9 + 11 = 27

So 27 is a perfect cube number.

Why are they called cube numbers

They are named cube numbers (or cubed numbers) because they can also be used to calculate the volume of a cube: since a cube is a 3d shape with sides of the same length, width and height, you calculate its volume by multiplying the side length by itself and then itself again (or ‘cubing’ it).

As cubes have equal sides (length, height and width), calculating the volume is simple – just “cube” one of its sides!

For example, a cube with side length 2cm would have a volume of 8cm³ (as 2³ = 8). In reverse, if we knew a cube had a volume of 27cm³, we’d know that each side would measure 3cm (as 3³ = 27).

See the diagrams below to demonstrate these cube number examples.

1. A cube with side length 2 units, volume 8 units ie 2 x 2 x 2 – we can also see there are 8 cubes.

2. A cube with side length 3 units, volume 27 units ie 3 x 3 x 3 – we can also see there are 27 cubes)

When will children learn about cube numbers in primary school?

As part of the multiplication and division topic, the national curriculum for Key Stage 2 states that Year 5 pupils should be taught to:

• recognise and use square numbers and cube numbers, and the notation for squared (²) and cubed (³)
• solve problems involving multiplication and division including using their knowledge of factors and multiples, squares and cubes

In the non-statutory notes and guidance, the curriculum advises that children understand the terms factor, multiple and prime, square and cube numbers and use them to construct equivalence statements (for example, 4 x 35 = 2 x 2 x 35; 3 x 270 = 3 x 3 x 9 x 10 = 92 x 10).

This knowledge of square numbers will be built on in Year 6, particularly when learning about BIDMAS and the order of operations when children may learn the term ‘indices’ (an ‘index number’ is the name for the little 2 used to mean ‘squared’, or the little 3 used to mean ‘cubed’).

Cube roots, like square roots, or working with squares and cubes of decimals are not generally tackled by children until secondary school closer to GCSE.

How do cube numbers relate to other areas of maths?

Cube numbers are particularly useful when finding the volume of cubes, which children begin to do in Year 5 (pupils should be taught to estimate volume [for example, using 1cm³ blocks to build cuboids (including cubes)])

In Year 6, pupils should be taught to calculate, estimate and compare volume of cubes and cuboids using standard units, including cubic centimetres (cm³) and cubic metres (m³), and extending to other units [for example, mm³ and km³].

By Year 6 maths pupils will be taught to use their knowledge of the order of operations to carry out calculations and problem solving questions with cubed numbers, including two-step and multi-step word problems.

Wondering how to explain other key numeracy vocabulary to your children? Check out our Maths Dictionary For Kids, or try the following explanations for parents of children following a maths mastery approach in their primary school:

• What Is Pemdas?
• What Is The Lowest Common Multiple?
• What Is The Highest Common Factor?
• What Are Prime Numbers?
• What Is Place Value?

Cube number questions and answers

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