Defining a Cube
A cube is a three-dimensional solid object bounded by six equal square faces, with three meeting at each vertex. It is a type of regular hexahedron, meaning it is a polyhedron with six faces, and all its faces are identical regular polygons.
Section 2: Key Properties of a Cube
A cube has specific, consistent properties. It always consists of 6 square faces, 12 equal edges, and 8 vertices (corners). The angles between any two adjacent faces are always right angles (90 degrees), making it a fundamental and stable shape.
Section 3: A Practical Example
A common real-world example of a cube is a standard six-sided die used in board games. Each side is a perfect square, and the die has the exact geometric properties of a cube. Other examples include sugar cubes, some building blocks, and Rubik's Cubes.
Section 4: Importance in Math and Science
The cube is a foundational shape for understanding volume, which is calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height. Since all edges are equal (s), the volume is simply s³. This concept is crucial in fields like physics, engineering, architecture, and even computer graphics, where cubes often serve as the basic building blocks for more complex objects.