cube

Everyday

1. A cube is a solid shape with 6 square faces that are all the same size, like a dice. A cube has 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 corners. tree →
2. A cube is a small block of something, like an ice cube or a sugar cube. tree →
3. The cube of a number is the number times itself times itself: the cube of 2 is 8. tree →
4. The cube root of a number is the number which, multiplied by itself twice, gives that number. tree →

In the lessons

maths: a shape with 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 corners (vertices); small cubes for volume, counting and stacking; volume = edge × edge × edge; cube numbers 1, 8, 27, 64; science: ice cubes melting; everyday life: cubes of cheese, building blocks, puzzle cubes

Examples

• A cube has 6 faces. tree →
• She builds a tower with 12 cubes. tree →
• How many 1 cm cubes fill the box? tree →
• Each cube has edges 3 cm long. tree →
• Put 2 ice cubes in your drink. tree →
• The cube of 3 is 27. tree →
• Cut the cheese into cubes. tree →
• A dice is a cube with dots. tree →
• He tried it by square root and by cube root. tree →

Note

Fixed numbers: 6 faces, 12 edges, 8 corners; volume = edge × edge × edge. Trap: «the cube of 3» means 3 × 3 × 3 = 27, not 3 × 3 (that is the square). A cube is solid (3D); a square is flat (2D).