Cube Numbers in Context

Cubes matter whenever you think in three dimensions. A box that is 3 feet on each side holds 27 cubic feet. Double the side length to 6 feet and the volume jumps to 216 cubic feet — eight times larger, not twice.

Exponents are compressed multiplication, and understanding them means you can estimate explosive growth in seconds. The next time someone quotes a percentage growth rate, use the Rule of 72: divide 72 by the rate to find the doubling time.