Cubes
Basics on the topic Cubes
In This Video
Niko and Nia see a shape storm that rains cubes. Except, Niko doesn’t know what it is. So he wonders ‘what is a cube in math?’ Join in to learn all about cubes!
Cube (Math) Explanation & Example
You may wonder ‘what is a cube in math’, or ‘what does cube mean in math’. Well, a cube in math is a 3-D shape that has specific defining attributes, or characteristics.
The defining attributes of a cube are:
- Six square faces
- Eight vertices, or corners
- Twelve edges, or sides
Therefore, the cube definition (math) is a 3-D shape that has six square faces, eight vertices, and twelve edges. This can also be referred to as the cube rule (math).
Underneath, you will find a math cube worksheet, where you can practice identifying if a shape is a cube or not based on the attributes you learned.
Transcript Cubes
"Hey Nia, do you hear that?" Uh oh, it looks like there is a shape storm happening! "Woooaaaaah. This is new!" "I wonder what this shape is?" Let's join Nico and Nia as they learn all about cubes. A cube is a 3-D shape. A 3-D shape is a solid figure that has three dimensions; length, width, and height. 3-D shapes can be identified by defining attributes, or properties, that will not change, and non-defining attributes, or properties, which may change. Let's take a look at defining attributes of a cube. A cube has six faces, which are made up of squares. A cube also has eight vertices, or corners! Finally, a cube has twelve edges, which is where two faces meet. A shape must have all three of these defining attributes to be classified as a cube. Now let's look at non-defining attributes of cubes, or things that may change. A cube may be different colors. A cube may be different sizes. A cube may have different orientations, or be turned differently. To identify cubes, we look for the defining attributes, or properties, that do change. Let's practice identifying cubes! Is this a cube? First, count the square faces. There are six square faces, it might be a cube! Now count the vertices. There are eight vertices, it might still be a cube! Finally, count the edges. There are twelve edges. Since all the defining properties of a cube are present, this is a cube! Let's look at this shape. Is this a cube? Start by counting the faces. There are five faces, and none of them are square. Since a cube must have six square faces, this is not a cube! Is this a cube? This is a cube, because there are six square faces, eight vertices, and twelve edges! Even though the two cubes we saw are different colors, different sizes, and have different orientations from each other they are still cubes because the defining attributes are present! Before we see what Nico and Nia are up to in the shape storm, let's review! Remember, a cube may have non-defining attributes such as, a different color, a different size, or a different orientation! In order to be classified as a cube, it must have all of the following defining attributes: Six square faces, eight vertices, and twelve edges! "Huh?" "We should close the window!" "Yes Nico, that is probably a good idea!"
Cubes exercise
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Which shape is a cube?
HintsRemember that a cube has 6 faces.
Remember that a cube has 8 vertices.
Every face on a cube is a square.
You might not be able to see all of the vertices and faces of the shape at once.
SolutionThe cube is shown here with a check mark. It has 6 faces, 8 vertices and 12 edges. Each of its faces is a square.
The other 3D shapes are not cubes.
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Label the parts of the cube.
HintsAn edge is where two faces meet.
A vertex is the singular of vertices. A vertex is where 3 or more edges meet.
The face of a shape is the flat part; it can be different shapes, such as a triangle, a square or a circle.
SolutionThe cube can be labelled with:
- The face - the flat, square shape that can be seen when looking at the shape. There are 6 faces on a cube.
- The edge - where two faces meet. There are 12 edges on a cube.
- The vertex - where three or more edges meet. There are 8 vertices on a cube.
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Defining and non-defining characteristics of a cube.
HintsThese are all cubes, although some of their non-defining characteristics have changed.
What do all cubes have? These are their defining characteristics.
Solution4 of the attributes are defining and 3 are non-defining as shown by this image.
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What defines a cube?
HintsThe red line here shows one edge of the cube, where two faces meet.
This cube has the vertices marked by pink dots.
SolutionThese are the defining properties of a cube:
Face shape: Square
Number of faces: 6
Number of vertices: 8
Number of edges: 12
Other factors, such as shape, size and color can vary.
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A shape storm.
HintsThere are 4 cubes to find.
Remember, a cube has 6 faces, 8 vertices and 12 edges.
A cube is a three dimensional (3D) shape.
You might not be able to see all of the vertices and faces of the shape at once.
SolutionThere are 4 cubes shown, highlighted yellow here.
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Cube net.
HintsWhat shape is every face of a cube? Check that each face of the net will be the right shape.
Think about how many faces a cube has. There should be this many flat shapes within the net.
SolutionThe correct net for a cube must have 6 square faces, as well as being in the correct layout to fold into a cube.
Oh wow so cool 😎
I know geometry a little bit.
So I want to learn more.This is helping me.