A square number is the name given to the answer when a number is multiplied by itself. A cube number is the name given when a number is multiplied by itself twice. A square root is the inverse of a square, and a cube root is the inverse of a cube. When a number is multiplied by itself more than twice, it can written using powers.
Powers
When a number is multiplied by itself several times, it can be written using powers.
am
Where a is referred to as the base, and m is the power - also known as the index or exponent.
Example 1
What is 24?
2 is multiplied by itself 4 times.
24=2×2×2×2=16
Square numbers
A square number is the product when a number is multiplied by itself. You have to know the first 15 square numbers.
To find a square root, think of which number you would need to multiply itself by to get a square number. To find a cube root, think of which number was multiplied by itself twice.
Example 2
What is 81 ?
Find which positive number - when multiplied by itself - gives 81.
9×9=81
81=9
Note: Square roots are defined to only be positive.
Example 3
Find the value of 3125.
Find the number that - when multiplied by itself twice - gives 125.
5×5×5=125
3125=5
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Learn with Basics
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Length:
Unit 1
Standard form
Unit 2
Writing indices and index laws
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Unit 3
Powers and roots: Square and cube numbers
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cube number?
A cube number is the name given when a number is multiplied by itself twice.
What is a square number?
A square number is the name given to the answer when a number is multiplied by itself.
What are powers?
Powers represent a number multiplied by itself several times.