Smallest Multiple that is a Perfect Cube
This section covers how to determine the smallest multiple of a number that is a perfect cube, through practical examples and explanations. A perfect cube is defined as a number that can be expressed as the cube of a whole number (e.g., 1, 8, 27, etc.). In the context of the examples, students learn to factor numbers into their prime factors, check their powers, and determine what is needed to achieve the cubic form.
The volumes of cuboids made with plasticine spark a discussion on how many such cuboids would be required to form a perfect cube. Several examples illustrate how to identify if a number is a perfect cube, and if not, how to find the smallest natural number that can be multiplied to yield a perfect cube. Key examples include the factorizations of numbers like 392, 53240, and 1188 to illustrate how to derive the necessary multipliers or divisors to convert them into perfect cubes. This forms a basis for understanding cubes, cube roots, and their significance in mathematics.