NCERT Maths : Class 8
1. Which of the following numbers are not perfect cubes?
(i) 216
(ii) 128
(iii) 1000
(iv) 100
(v) 46656
Sol.
To check if a number is a perfect cube, resolve it into prime factors and see if all factors can be
grouped into triples (sets of three) of equal factors.
(i) Resolving 216 into prime factors:
216 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 3
216 = (2×2×2) × (3×3×3)
Clearly, the prime factors of 216 can be grouped into triples of equal factors, and no factor is left
over.
Therefore, 216 is a perfect cube.
(ii) Resolving 128 into prime factors:
128 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
128 = (2×2×2) × (2×2×2) × 2
Now, if we try to group together triples of equal factors, we are left with a single factor, 2.
Therefore, 128 is not a perfect cube.
(iii) Resolving 1000 into prime factors:
1000 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 × 5 × 5
1000 = (2×2×2) × (5×5×5)
NCERT Maths : Class 8
Clearly, the prime factors of 1000 can be grouped into triples of equal factors, and no factor is
left over.
Therefore, 1000 is a perfect cube.
(iv) Resolving 100 into prime factors:
100 = 2 × 2 × 5 × 5
Now, if we try to group together triples of equal factors, we are left with 2×2 and 5×5. Neither 2
nor 5 can form a triple.
Therefore, 100 is not a perfect cube.
(v) Resolving 46656 into prime factors:
46656 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
46656 = (2×2×2) × (2×2×2) × (3×3×3) × (3×3×3)
Clearly, the prime factors of 46656 can be grouped into triples of equal factors, and no factor is
left over.
Therefore, 46656 is a perfect cube.
2. Find the smallest number by which each of the following numbers must be multiplied
to obtain a perfect cube.
(i) 243
(ii) 256
(iii) 72
(iv) 675
(v) 100
Sol.
To obtain a perfect cube by multiplication, we need to make sure all prime factors appear in
triples. We multiply by the factors needed to complete the triples.
(i) Writing 243 as a product of prime factors:
243 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
243 = (3×3×3) × 3 × 3
NCERT Maths : Class 8
Here, 3 × 3 is left over. To complete a triple for the factor 3, we need one more 3.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be multiplied by 3.
(ii) Writing 256 as a product of prime factors:
256 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
256 = (2×2×2) × (2×2×2) × 2 × 2
Here, 2 × 2 is left over. To complete a triple for the factor 2, we need one more 2.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be multiplied by 2.
(iii) Writing 72 as a product of prime factors:
72 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3
72 = (2×2×2) × 3 × 3
Here, 3 × 3 is left over. To complete a triple for the factor 3, we need one more 3.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be multiplied by 3.
(iv) Writing 675 as a product of prime factors:
675 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 5
675 = (3×3×3) × 5 × 5
Here, 5 × 5 is left over. To complete a triple for the factor 5, we need one more 5.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be multiplied by 5.
(v) Writing 100 as a product of prime factors:
100 = 2 × 2 × 5 × 5
Here, 2 × 2 and 5 × 5 are left over. To complete a triple for factor 2, we need one 2. To complete
a triple for factor 5, we need one 5.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be multiplied by 2 × 5 = 10.
3. Find the smallest number by which each of the following numbers must be divided to
obtain a perfect cube.
(i) 81
NCERT Maths : Class 8
(ii) 128
(iii) 135
(iv) 192
(v) 704
Sol.
To obtain a perfect cube by division, we need to make sure all prime factors appear in triples.
We divide by the factors that are left over after forming triples.
(i) Writing 81 as a product of prime factors:
81 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
81 = (3×3×3) × 3
Here, a single factor 3 is left over.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be divided by 3.
(ii) Writing 128 as a product of prime factors:
128 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
128 = (2×2×2) × (2×2×2) × 2
Here, a single factor 2 is left over.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be divided by 2.
(iii) Writing 135 as a product of prime factors:
135 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 5
135 = (3×3×3) × 5
Here, a single factor 5 is left over.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be divided by 5.
(iv) Writing 192 as a product of prime factors:
192 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
192 = (2×2×2) × (2×2×2) × 3
NCERT Maths : Class 8
Here, a single factor 3 is left over.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be divided by 3.
(v) Writing 704 as a product of prime factors:
704 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 11
704 = (2×2×2) × (2×2×2) × 11
Here, a single factor 11 is left over.
Clearly, to make it a perfect cube, it must be divided by 11.
4. Parikshit makes a cuboid of plasticine of side 5 cm, 2 cm, 5 cm. How many such
cuboids will he need to form a cube?
Sol.
Dimensions of one cuboid = 5 cm × 2 cm × 5 cm.
Volume of one cuboid = 5 × 2 × 5 = 50 cm³.
To form a cube, all prime factors of the volume must appear in triples.
Prime factorization of the volume of one cuboid: 50 = 2 × 5 × 5.
To make this a perfect cube, we need one more 2 (to make 2³) and one more 5 (to make 5³).
So, the smallest perfect cube that can be formed from these cuboids would have prime factors
(2×2×2) × (5×5×5).
Volume of this smallest cube = (2³) × (5³) = 8 × 125 = 1000 cm³.
Number of cuboids needed = (Volume of the smallest cube) / (Volume of one cuboid)
= 1000 / 50 = 20.
Alternatively, to form triples from 2 × 5 × 5, we need (2×2) and 5.
So, we need (2 × 2) × 5 = 4 × 5 = 20 additional cuboids of the original dimensions.
Thus, he will need 20 cuboids to form a cube.