Square and cube numbers

A square number is the result of multiplying a number by itself.

This can also be called a 'number squared'. The symbol for ‘squared’ is ².

For example, you would write 3 squared like this:

3²

This is the same as saying:

3 × 3

Which is 9. So 9 is a square number.

Here are some other examples of square numbers. Can you see how all these numbers can be arranged into a square?

What are cube numbers?

A cube number is a number multiplied by itself twice.

This can also be called a 'number cubed'. The symbol for cubed is ³.

For example, you would write 4 cubed as:

4³

This is the same as saying

4 × 4 × 4

Which is 64. So 64 is a cube number.

Here are some other examples of cube numbers. Can you how all these numbers can be arranged into a cube?

Complete this interactive activity to understand how to understand and work out square and cube numbers. Then test your knowledge.

To calculate a square number, you times a number by itself.

3² is the same as saying 3 x 3.

3 x 3 = 9

Therefore, 9 is a square number. Or, you could say, 3 squared equals 9.

3² = 9

You can see that 9 counters can be arranged into a square with 3 rows of 3 counters.

4² is the same as saying 4 x 4.

4 x 4 = 16

So, 16 is also a square number. You could also say that 4 squared is 16.

4² = 16

Can you see how 16 counters can also be arranged into a square with 4 rows of 4 counters?

Calculating cube numbers

To calculate a cube number, you multiply a number by itself and then by itself again.

For example, 3³ means 3 x 3 x 3.

3 x 3 x 3 = 27

Therefore, 27 is a cube number. Or you could say 3 cubed is 27.

3³ = 27

Can you see how 27 blocks can be arranged into a cube?

4³ is the same as saying 4 x 4 x 4.

4 x 4 x 4 = 64

64 is a cube number. You could also say 4 cubed is 64.

4³ = 64.

Can you see how 64 blocks can be arranged into a cube?

Example 2

Example 3