Learn on PengiReveal Math, AcceleratedUnit 12: Area, Surface Area, and Volume

Lesson 12-6: Understand and Use Cube Roots

In this Grade 7 lesson from Reveal Math, Accelerated (Unit 12), students learn to understand and apply cube roots as the inverse operation of cubing a number, using the relationship s = ∛V to find the side length of a cube from its volume. Students identify perfect cubes, estimate cube roots of non-perfect cubes between consecutive whole numbers, and simplify cube roots of fractions. The lesson also connects cube roots to real-world contexts, including applying Kepler's Third Law to calculate planetary distances using the equation T² = r³.

Section 1

Cube Root Definition and Notation

Property

bb is the cube root of aa if bb cubed equals aa. In symbols, we write

b=a3ifb3=ab = \sqrt[3]{a} \quad \text{if} \quad b^3 = a

Unlike square roots, which are not real for negative numbers, every real number has a real cube root.

Examples

Section 2

Cube Roots of Perfect Cubes

Property

A perfect cube is a number that can be written as the cube (third power) of an integer. If a number xx is a perfect cube such that x=a3x = a^3, then the cube root of xx is aa:

x3=a\sqrt[3]{x} = a

Examples

Section 3

Finding Cube Roots of Negative Numbers

Property

For any positive number aa, the cube root of a-a is the negative of the cube root of aa.

a3=a3\sqrt[3]{-a} = -\sqrt[3]{a}

Examples

Section 4

Finding Cube Roots of Rational Numbers

Property

To find the cube root of a perfect cube integer, you can use its prime factorization. For a fraction, the cube root of the quotient is the quotient of the cube roots:

ab3=a3b3\sqrt[3]{\frac{a}{b}} = \frac{\sqrt[3]{a}}{\sqrt[3]{b}}

Examples

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Unit 12: Area, Surface Area, and Volume

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 12-1: Describe Cross Sections of Three-Dimensional Figures

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 12-2: Understand and Use Square Roots

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 12-3: Solve Problems Involving Area and Surface Area

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 12-4: Solve Problems Involving Circumference of Circles

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 12-5: Solve Problems Involving Area of Circles

  6. Lesson 6Current

    Lesson 12-6: Understand and Use Cube Roots

  7. Lesson 7

    Lesson 12-7: Solve Problems Involving Volume of Cylinders and Cones

  8. Lesson 8

    Lesson 12-8: Solve Problems Involving Volume of Spheres

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

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Section 1

Cube Root Definition and Notation

Property

bb is the cube root of aa if bb cubed equals aa. In symbols, we write

b=a3ifb3=ab = \sqrt[3]{a} \quad \text{if} \quad b^3 = a

Unlike square roots, which are not real for negative numbers, every real number has a real cube root.

Examples

Section 2

Cube Roots of Perfect Cubes

Property

A perfect cube is a number that can be written as the cube (third power) of an integer. If a number xx is a perfect cube such that x=a3x = a^3, then the cube root of xx is aa:

x3=a\sqrt[3]{x} = a

Examples

Section 3

Finding Cube Roots of Negative Numbers

Property

For any positive number aa, the cube root of a-a is the negative of the cube root of aa.

a3=a3\sqrt[3]{-a} = -\sqrt[3]{a}

Examples

Section 4

Finding Cube Roots of Rational Numbers

Property

To find the cube root of a perfect cube integer, you can use its prime factorization. For a fraction, the cube root of the quotient is the quotient of the cube roots:

ab3=a3b3\sqrt[3]{\frac{a}{b}} = \frac{\sqrt[3]{a}}{\sqrt[3]{b}}

Examples

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Unit 12: Area, Surface Area, and Volume

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 12-1: Describe Cross Sections of Three-Dimensional Figures

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 12-2: Understand and Use Square Roots

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 12-3: Solve Problems Involving Area and Surface Area

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 12-4: Solve Problems Involving Circumference of Circles

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 12-5: Solve Problems Involving Area of Circles

  6. Lesson 6Current

    Lesson 12-6: Understand and Use Cube Roots

  7. Lesson 7

    Lesson 12-7: Solve Problems Involving Volume of Cylinders and Cones

  8. Lesson 8

    Lesson 12-8: Solve Problems Involving Volume of Spheres