Lesson 13
Cube Roots
13.1: True or False: Cubed (5 minutes)
Warm-up
The purpose of this warm-up is for students to analyze symbolic statements about cube roots and decide if they are true or not based on the meaning of the cube root symbol.
Launch
Display one problem at a time. Tell students to give a signal when they have an answer and a strategy. After each problem, give students 1 minute of quiet think time and follow with a whole-class discussion.
Student Facing
Decide if each statement is true or false.
\(\left( \sqrt[3]{5} \right)^3=5\)
\(\left(\sqrt[3]{27}\right)^3 = 3\)
\(7 = \left(\sqrt[3]{7}\right)^3\)
\(\left(\sqrt[3]{10}\right)^3 = 1,\!000\)
\(\left(\sqrt[3]{64}\right) = 2^3\)
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
Poll students on their response for each problem. Record and display their responses for all to see. If all students agree, ask 1 or 2 students to share their reasoning. If there is disagreement, ask students to share their reasoning until an agreement is reached.
13.2: Cube Root Values (10 minutes)
Activity
The purpose of this activity is for students to think about cube roots in relation to the two whole number values they are closest to. Students are encouraged to use the fact that \(\sqrt[3]{a}\) is a solution to the equation \(x^3=a\). Students can draw a number line if that helps them reason about the magnitude of the given cube roots, but this is not required. However students reason, they need to explain their thinking (MP3).
Monitor students multiplying non-integers by hand to try and approximate. While this isn’t what the problem is asking for, their work could be used to think about which integer the square root is closest to and should be brought up during the whole-class discussion.
Launch
Do not give students access to calculators. Students in groups of 2. Two minutes of quiet work time, followed by partner then whole-class discussion.
Supports accessibility for: Visual-spatial processing; Organization
Student Facing
What two whole numbers does each cube root lie between? Be prepared to explain your reasoning.
- \(\sqrt[3]{5}\)
- \(\sqrt[3]{23}\)
- \(\sqrt[3]{81}\)
- \(\sqrt[3]{999}\)
Student Response
For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners.
Activity Synthesis
Discuss:
- “What strategy did you use to figure out the two whole numbers?”
(I made a list of perfect cubes and then found which two the number was between.) - “How can we write one of these answers using inequality symbols?” (For example, \(2<\sqrt[3]{23}<3\).)
Design Principle(s): Support sense-making; Maximize meta-awareness
13.3: Solutions on a Number Line (10 minutes)
Activity
The purpose of this activity is for students to use rational approximations of irrational numbers to place both rational and irrational numbers on a number line, and to reinforce the definition of a cube root as a solution to the equation of the form \(x^3=a\). This is also the first time that students have thought about negative cube roots.
Launch
No access to calculators. Students in groups of 2. Two minutes of quiet work time, followed by partner then whole-class discussion.
Supports accessibility for: Memory; Language
Student Facing
The numbers \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) are positive, and:
\(\displaystyle x^3= 5\)
\(\displaystyle y^3= 27\)
\(\displaystyle z^3= 700\)
- Plot \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) on the number line. Be prepared to share your reasoning with the class.
- Plot \(\text- \sqrt[3]{2}\) on the number line.
Student Response
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Student Facing
Are you ready for more?
Diego knows that \(8^2=64\) and that \(4^3=64\). He says that this means the following are all true:
- \(\sqrt{64}=8\)
- \(\sqrt[3]{64}=4\)
- \(\sqrt{\text -64}=\text-8\)
- \(\sqrt[3]{\text -64}=\text -4\)
Is he correct? Explain how you know.
Student Response
For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners.
Activity Synthesis
Display the number line from the activity for all to see. Select groups to share how they chose to place values onto the number line. Place the values on the displayed number line as groups share, and after each placement poll the class to ask if students used the same reasoning or different reasoning. If any students used different reasoning, invite them to share with the class.
Conclude the discussion by asking students to share how they placed -\(\sqrt[3]{2}\) on the number line.
Design Principle(s): Maximize meta-awareness; Support sense-making
Lesson Synthesis
Lesson Synthesis
The purpose of this discussion is to reinforce the definition of a cube root.
- “What is the solution to the equation \(a^3 = 47\)?” (\(\sqrt[3]{47}\))
- “What is the solution to the equation \(a^3 = 64\)?” (\(\sqrt[3]{64}=4\))
- “What is the solution to the equation \(a^3 = \text-64\)?” (\(\sqrt[3]{\text-64}=\text-4\))
- “How can we plot cube roots on the number line?” (Find the two whole numbers they lie between, and determine the approximate location between them.)
13.4: Cool-down - Different Types of Roots (5 minutes)
Cool-Down
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Student Lesson Summary
Student Facing
Remember that square roots of whole numbers are defined as side lengths of squares. For example, \(\sqrt{17}\) is the side length of a square whose area is 17. We define cube roots similarly, but using cubes instead of squares. The number \(\sqrt[3]{17}\), pronounced “the cube root of 17,” is the edge length of a cube which has a volume of 17.
We can approximate the values of cube roots by observing the whole numbers around it and remembering the relationship between cube roots and cubes. For example, \(\sqrt[3]{20}\) is between 2 and 3 since \(2^3=8\) and \(3^3=27\), and 20 is between 8 and 27. Similarly, since 100 is between \(4^3\) and \(5^3\), we know \(\sqrt[3]{100}\) is between 4 and 5. Many calculators have a cube root function which can be used to approximate the value of a cube root more precisely. Using our numbers from before, a calculator will show that \(\sqrt[3]{20} \approx 2.7144\) and that \(\sqrt[3]{100} \approx 4.6416\).
Also like square roots, most cube roots of whole numbers are irrational. The only time the cube root of a number is a whole number is when the original number is a perfect cube.