Square
a
a
Cube
a
a
a
1
Looking at the
square
with side length
a
— what is the
area of the square
?
Area = a + a
Area = 4a
Area = a × a
Area = a ÷ 2
Area of square = a × a =
a
2
2
Looking at the
cube
with side length
a
— what is the
volume of the cube
?
Volume = a + a + a
Volume = a × a × a
Volume = 3a
Volume = a²
Volume of cube = a × a × a =
a
3
Understanding Indices
□
Area of square = a × a =
a
2
where
a
is the
base
&
2
is the
index (power)
■
Volume of cube = a × a × a =
a
3
where
a
is the
base
&
3
is the
index (power)
∴ Indices tell us how many times a number
is multiplied by itself.