x al cubo
/ɡs al kubo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "x cubed" is expressed as x al cubo.
This phrase is used to describe the result of multiplying a variable x by itself two times.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase al cubo is a contraction of a el cubo, which literally means "to the cube".
Which one should you use?
x elevado al cubo provides a more mathematically precise description, meaning "x raised to the cube".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the expression x al cubo is predominantly used to mean x cubed.
Did you know?
- The term cubo shares a common ancestor with the Greek 'kybos', which was used in ancient board games to describe a die.
- While al cubo is the standard term for the power of three, Spanish uses a similar structure for the power of two, al cuadrado, which refers to a 'square'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the diminutive cubito instead of cubo when referring to a 'cube' of ice to highlight its small size.
Examples in context
- 3 al cubo3 cubed
- La fórmula para calcular el volumen de un cubo es V = a al cubo.The formula to calculate the volume of a cube is V = a cubed.
- El resultado es x al cubo.The result is x cubed.
- Debes calcular x al cubo en la fórmula.You must calculate x cubed in the formula.
- ¿Es esta la función x al cubo?Is this the x cubed function?
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are studying mathematics together.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿cómo se escribe x al cubo?Alejandro, how do you write x cubed?
- AlejandroSe escribe con un tres pequeño arriba de la x.It is written with a small three above the x.
- SofíaEntiendo, entonces la función es x al cubo.I understand, so the function is x cubed.
- AlejandroExacto, Sofía, lo has dicho bien.Exactly, Sofía, you said it correctly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cubo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
