Multiplying a number by itself, then multiplying by itself again gives the cube of a number:

4 x 4 x 4 = 4³ = 64.

The small 3 (the index) after the number indicates that it is being cubed.

A negative number that is cubed will result in a negative number:

-3³ = -3 x -3 x -3 = -27

A number less than 1 will result in a smaller number:

0.2³ = 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 = 0.008

Fractions can also be cubed:

(`frac(1)(2)`)³ = `frac(1)(2)` x `frac(1)(2)` x `frac(1)(2)` = `frac(1)(8)`