Cube of 2
2 cubed equals 8. Cubes show up in volume calculations — a cube with side 2 holds 8 cubic units.
Cubes carry the fingerprint of their base. The final digit of 8 is 8 — always the cube of the base's own final digit. Divided by 9, a cube only ever leaves 0, 1 or 8, and 8 leaves 8. The volume picture explains the name: a 2 × 2 floor of unit cubes holds 4 of them, and 2 such layers stack to 8 — the shape itself is the exponent at work. The gaps grow like a parabola: 8 − 1 = 7, which is 3 × 2 × 1 + 1 — each new layer wider than the last. Even base, even cube: 8 keeps the parity of 2.
| Expression | Value |
|---|---|
| 2³ | 8 |
Frequently asked questions
What is 2 cubed?
2 cubed is 8, because 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. The exponent 3 gives it the name "cube".
Why is it called a cube number?
Because it matches volume: a cube with side length 2 contains exactly 8 unit cubes.
Is 8 a perfect cube?
Yes — 8 = 2³, so it is a perfect cube by definition.