Cube Numbers Explained: Complete Guide for KS2 Students (2025)
Last Updated: October 2025 | Reading Time: 18 minutes
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“My daughter finally understood cube numbers when we used sugar cubes! Building 2×2×2 = 8 cubes made it so clear!” – Sarah T., Parent
Have you ever wondered why 27 is called a “cube number”? Or what makes cubes different from squares? Cube numbers are a fascinating mathematical concept that helps us understand 3D shapes, volume, and patterns in nature!
This complete guide explains everything you need to know about cube numbers—from basic concepts to advanced applications, with an interactive calculator and visual demonstrations.
🧊 Interactive Cube Number Calculator
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Cube Number Calculator
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What Is a Cube Number?
A cube number is the result of multiplying a whole number by itself three times.
Simple Definition:
Cube number = any number × itself × itself
1 × 1 × 1 = 1 (1 cubed)
2 × 2 × 2 = 8 (2 cubed)
3 × 3 × 3 = 27 (3 cubed)
4 × 4 × 4 = 64 (4 cubed)
5 × 5 × 5 = 125 (5 cubed)
Mathematical Notation
Cube numbers are written with a small “3” called a superscript or exponent:
Notation Explained
Other Examples:
2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
5³ = 5 × 5 × 5 = 125
10³ = 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000
Complete List of Cube Numbers
Interactive Cube Numbers Chart (1-12)
Cube Numbers You Must Know
50 Frequently Asked Questions About Cube Numbers
💡 Everything you need to know about cube numbers answered!
Basic Understanding (Questions 1-10)
1. What is a cube number in simple terms?
A cube number is what you get when you multiply a number by itself three times. For example, 2 × 2 × 2 = 8, so 8 is a cube number.
2. Why is it called a “cube” number?
It’s called a cube number because you can arrange that many small cubes into a perfect 3D cube shape. For example, 27 small cubes can form a 3×3×3 cube.
3. What are the first 10 cube numbers?
The first 10 cube numbers are: 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, and 1,000.
4. Is 1 a cube number?
Yes! 1 is a cube number because 1 × 1 × 1 = 1. It’s the first and smallest cube number.
5. What is the cube of 2?
The cube of 2 is 8, because 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. This means 8 is a cube number.
6. How do you write “5 cubed”?
You write it as 5³ (with a small 3 as a superscript). This means 5 × 5 × 5 = 125.
7. What does the small 3 mean in 4³?
The small 3 (called an exponent) tells you to multiply the number by itself three times. So 4³ means 4 × 4 × 4.
8. Is 10 a cube number?
No, 10 is not a cube number. The cube numbers near 10 are 8 (2³) and 27 (3³). However, 10³ = 1,000, which IS a cube number.
9. What is 3 cubed?
3 cubed (3³) equals 27, because 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
10. Can you have a cube of zero?
Yes! 0³ = 0 × 0 × 0 = 0. Zero cubed equals zero.
Calculations & Examples (Questions 11-20)
11. What is 4 cubed?
4 cubed (4³) equals 64, because 4 × 4 × 4 = 64.
12. Is 27 a cube number?
Yes! 27 is a cube number because it’s 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. It’s the cube of 3.
13. What is 10 cubed?
10 cubed (10³) equals 1,000, because 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000.
14. Is 100 a cube number?
No, 100 is not a cube number. It’s a square number (10²), but the cube numbers near 100 are 64 (4³) and 125 (5³).
15. What is 6 cubed?
6 cubed (6³) equals 216, because 6 × 6 × 6 = 216.
16. Is 64 a cube number?
Yes! 64 is a cube number because it’s 4 × 4 × 4 = 64. Interestingly, 64 is both a cube number (4³) and a square number (8²)!
17. What is 7 cubed?
7 cubed (7³) equals 343, because 7 × 7 × 7 = 343.
18. Is 125 a cube number?
Yes! 125 is a cube number because it’s 5 × 5 × 5 = 125. It’s the cube of 5.
19. What is 8 cubed?
8 cubed (8³) equals 512, because 8 × 8 × 8 = 512.
20. What is 9 cubed?
9 cubed (9³) equals 729, because 9 × 9 × 9 = 729.
Comparing Cubes & Squares (Questions 21-30)
21. What’s the difference between cube numbers and square numbers?
Square numbers use two multiplications (like 3 × 3 = 9), while cube numbers use three multiplications (like 3 × 3 × 3 = 27). Squares are 2D, cubes are 3D.
22. Is 4 a cube number?
No, 4 is a square number (2²), not a cube number. The cube of 2 is 8, not 4.
23. Can a number be both a square and a cube?
Yes! Some numbers are both. For example, 64 is both 8² (square) and 4³ (cube). The number 1 is also both.
24. Is 9 a cube number?
No, 9 is a square number (3²), not a cube number. The cube of 3 is 27, not 9.
25. Which is bigger: 5² or 3³?
3³ (which equals 27) is bigger than 5² (which equals 25). Cube numbers grow faster than square numbers!
26. Is 16 a cube number?
No, 16 is a square number (4²), not a cube number. There is no whole number that when cubed equals 16.
27. What comes after square numbers?
Cube numbers come after square numbers in the pattern of powers. After that come fourth powers (like 2⁴ = 16), fifth powers, and so on.
28. Is 25 a cube number?
No, 25 is a square number (5²), not a cube number. The cube numbers near 25 are 8 (2³) and 27 (3³).
29. Why are cube numbers bigger than square numbers (for the same base)?
Because you’re multiplying one more time! For example, 4² = 16, but 4³ = 64. The extra multiplication makes it much larger.
30. Is 36 a cube number?
No, 36 is a square number (6²), not a cube number. The cube numbers near 36 are 27 (3³) and 64 (4³).
Advanced Concepts (Questions 31-40)
31. What is a cube root?
A cube root is the opposite of cubing. It asks “what number, when cubed, gives this result?” For example, the cube root of 27 is 3 (because 3³ = 27).
32. Can you cube negative numbers?
Yes! (-2)³ = -2 × -2 × -2 = -8. When you cube a negative number, the result is always negative.
33. Can you cube decimals?
Yes! For example, 0.5³ = 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.125. Any number can be cubed, including decimals.
34. What pattern do cube numbers follow?
The differences between consecutive cube numbers keep increasing: 1, 8 (difference of 7), 27 (difference of 19), 64 (difference of 37), 125 (difference of 61), and so on.
35. Are there any cube numbers between 100 and 200?
Yes! 125 (which is 5³) is the only cube number between 100 and 200.
36. What is 11 cubed?
11 cubed (11³) equals 1,331, because 11 × 11 × 11 = 1,331.
37. What is 12 cubed?
12 cubed (12³) equals 1,728, because 12 × 12 × 12 = 1,728.
38. Is 1000 a cube number?
Yes! 1,000 is a cube number because it’s 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000. It’s the cube of 10.
39. How do you tell if a large number is a cube number?
Try finding its cube root using a calculator. If the cube root is a whole number, then it’s a cube number. For example, ∛216 = 6, so 216 is a cube number.
40. What is 20 cubed?
20 cubed (20³) equals 8,000, because 20 × 20 × 20 = 8,000.
Practical Applications (Questions 41-50)
41. How are cube numbers used in real life?
Cube numbers are used to calculate volume (like how much water fits in a tank), in construction, packaging design, 3D modeling, computer graphics, and even in gaming!
42. What is the volume formula using cubes?
For a cube, the volume formula is side³. So if a cube has sides of 4cm, its volume is 4³ = 64 cm³.
43. Do I need to memorize all cube numbers?
For KS2, you should memorize cubes from 1³ to 10³ (1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000). Knowing these makes calculations faster!
44. How do Rubik’s Cubes relate to cube numbers?
A standard Rubik’s Cube is 3×3×3, which means it has 27 (3³) smaller cubes. This is a perfect example of a cube number in action!
45. Can cube numbers be odd?
Yes! When you cube an odd number, you get an odd cube number. For example: 1³ = 1, 3³ = 27, 5³ = 125. These are all odd.
46. Can cube numbers be even?
Yes! When you cube an even number, you get an even cube number. For example: 2³ = 8, 4³ = 64, 6³ = 216. These are all even.
47. What games can help me learn cube numbers?
Try hithebutton.co.uk or hitthebutton.online for interactive practice! These sites have timed challenges and instant feedback.
48. How long does it take to master cube numbers?
With 5-10 minutes of daily practice using online games or flashcards, most students master cube numbers (1³ to 10³) in about 2-3 weeks.
49. What’s the fastest way to calculate cube numbers mentally?
Memorize the first 10 cube numbers. For larger numbers, break them down (like 20³ = (2 × 10)³ = 8 × 1000 = 8,000) or use patterns you recognize.
50. Why are cube numbers important in KS2 maths?
Cube numbers help build understanding of 3D shapes, volume, exponents, and multiplication. They’re fundamental for higher-level maths and appear in SATs tests!
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