A number that is the cube of a whole number.
Examples
125 is a perfect cube, since 53 = 125 and 5 is a whole number.
25 is not a perfect cube, since [latex]\sqrt[3]{25}[/latex] is not a whole number.
Educational Note
The expression "perfect cube" should not be applied to just any
algebraic expression.
The polynomial [latex]{x}^{3}-6{x}^{2}+12x-8[/latex] which is equal to [latex]{(x-2)}^{3}[/latex] can only be called a perfect cube if (
x – 2) is a whole number. Instead, the polynomial [latex]{x}^{3}-6{x}^{2}+12x-8[/latex] should be called the cube of the
binomial (
x – 2).
