What are square and cube numbers?

Part of Maths and NumeracyNumber and number processes

chickens and eggs showing the square number - 4

Square numbers

A square number is a number multiplied by itself. This can also be called 'a number squared'. The symbol for squared is ².

2² = 2 x 2 = 4

3² = 3 x 3 = 9

4² = 4 x 4 = 16

5² = 5 x 5 = 25

The square numbers up to 100 are: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100

chickens and eggs showing the square number - 4
chicken and eggs showing the sum 4 squared

Cube numbers

A cube number is a number multiplied by itself 3 times. This can also be called 'a number cubed'.The symbol for cubed is ³.

2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8

3³ = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27

4³ = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64

5³ = 5 × 5 × 5 =125

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

chicken and eggs showing the sum 4 squared

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