Question 164845
A "perfect square" is simply a whole number that is the result of another whole number squared. So for instance, 9 is a perfect square since {{{3^2=9}}} where 3 and 9 are whole numbers. Another example is 25 since {{{5^2=25}}}. 



Note: If you are a visual person, think of a square with sides of 3 units (each side is 3 units). The area of that square will be 9 square units (since area is length*width). This is where the "square" portion comes from.



A "perfect cube" is analogous to a perfect square, but this time we're dealing with cubing a whole number. So a "perfect cube" is simply a whole number that is the result of another whole number cubed. So 8 is a perfect cube since {{{2^3=8}}} and 27 is a perfect cube since {{{3^3=27}}} (notice these are all whole numbers).



Note: If you are a visual person, think of a cube with sides of 3 units (each side is 3 units). The volume of that cube will be 27 square units (since volume is length*width*height). This is where the "cube" portion comes from.