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Difference Between Cube and Cuboid: Definitions, Properties, Formulas

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 24th July, 2023 , 4 min read

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Overview

We study many forms and figures in mathematics, such as cylinders, squares, cones, rectangles, and many more. Each of these forms and figures has unique qualities and formulae that we utilize while solving geometry problems in mathematics. Two such forms, the cube, and the cuboid are regarded as comparable yet distinct in their attributes.

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Definitions

Cube: A cube is a three-dimensional shape with six square-shaped sides of equal size and a 90-degree angle between them. It has six faces, twelve edges, and eight vertices. The opposite edges are parallel and equal. Each vertex is intersected by three faces and three edges.

Cuboid: A three-dimensional shape with three pairs of oppositely connected rectangular faces. These two faces are the same. Two of the six faces can be squares. Cuboids are also known as rectangular boxes, rectangular parallelepipeds, and right prisms.

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Examples

The following table shows the examples of cube and cuboid-

Cube 

Cuboid 

Rubik's Cube 

Square Ice Cubes

Dice

Sugar Cubes

Refrigerator

Matchbox

Books

Bricks

Lunch box

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Properties

The following table shows the properties of cubesa  and cuboids-

Properties of Cube 

Properties of Cuboid

All of the faces are square.

All of the faces are rectangular.

All of the faces and edges are the same.

The opposing faces and edges are equal.

The angles are perpendicular.

The angles are perpendicular.

Each of the faces intersects with the other four neighboring faces.

At the rim, two faces collide.

Three faces and three edges are intersected by the vertices.

A vertex is formed by the intersection of three faces.

Also read more about Volume of Cuboid FormulaDifference Between Place Value and Face Value and What is the Area of a Parallelogram?

Tabular Difference Between Cube and Cuboid

The following table shows the parameters on which cube and cuboid should be differentiated-

Parameters

Cube 

Cuboid 

Sides 

All sides are of the same length.

All sides are of distinct lengths.

Shape 

3-D representation of a square.

A 3-D representation of rectangle.

Faces

6

6

Diagonals

12

12 face diagonals and 4 body/space diagonals.

Internal Diagonals

The length of all four internal diagonals should be the same.

A cuboid has four interior diagonals. The two sets of internal angles have distinct measurements.

Examples

Rubik's Cube, Dice, Ice cube

Bricks, Duster

LSA (Lateral Surface Area) Formula

4 × (Side)²

2 (length + breadth) × height

TSA (Total Surface Area) Formula

6 × (Side)²

2 [(length × breadth) + (breadth × height) + (height × length)]

Diagonal Formula

√3 × (side)

√(length² + breadth² + height²)

Volume Formula

(Side)³

length × breadth × height)

Perimeter Formula

12 × (Side)

4 × (length + breadth + height)

Also read more about Real Numbers, Natural Numbers, TSA of Cuboid, and Perimeter of Cuboid.

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Similarities

  1. There are six faces on a cube and a cuboid.
  2. They both have twelve edges.
  3. The vertices of a cube and a cuboid are both eight.

Also read more about- The Sum of Even Numbers, Great Mathematicians of India, and What is GPA.

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Sample Questions

Sample Question 1: Determine the diagonal with length = 80 cm, width = 36 cm, and height = 21 cm.

The formula for calculating the diagonal of a cuboid = Diagonal formula = √(length2+ breadth2+ height2)

= √(802+ 362+ 212)

= √(6400 + 1296 + 441) 

= √8137 

= 90.2 cm

Therefore, the diagonal of a cuboid is 90.2 cm

Sample Question 2: Determine the surface area of a cube with an edge length of 4 cm.

Given the length, ‘a'= 4 cm

Surface area = 6a²

= 6 × (4)² 

= 6 × 16

= 96 cm²

Sample Question 3: A cube is 21 cm in length, while a cuboid measures 71 cm in length, 4 cm in breadth, and 29 cm in height. Contrast the volumes of a cube and a cuboid.

The formula for calculating the volume of a cuboid is-

Volume = length x breadthx height in cubic units

= 71 x 4 x 29

= 284 x 29

= 8236 cm³

Volume = (side)³cubic units is the formula for calculating the volume of a cube.

Volume = (21)³ 

= 9261 cm³

As a result, the volume of a cuboid is 8236 cm³,and that of a cube is 9261 cm³. The volume of the cube is significantly more than the volume of the cuboid.

Sample Question 4: Determine the height of a room if its volume is 523 m³ and its floor area is 210 m².

Volume of the room = 523 m³

Area of the floor (l × b) = 210 m²

Therefore, the height of the room = (Volume of the room)/(area of the floor) 

= 523/210 

= 2.49 m

Sample Question 5: Determine the total surface area of a cuboid with dimensions of 8 cm long, 6 cm wide, and 4 cm high.

Total Surface Area (TSA) of cuboid = 2 (lb + bh + hl)

TSA = 2 (8×6 + 6×4 + 4×8)

TSA = 2 (48 + 24 + 32)

TSA = 104

Therefore, the total surface area of this cuboid is 104 sq. cm.

Also read more about- Father of Mathematics, Who Invented Math and Seating Arrangement Questions.

Difference Between Cube and Cuboid Quick Quiz Time

Q.1 How many cubic meters of water can a 23-meter-long cube-shaped tank hold?

Q.2 If the side of the cube is 4 cm, calculate the surface area and volume of the cube.

Q.3 A cuboid's length, breadth, and height are 16 cm, 5 cm, and 31 cm, respectively. Determine the lateral and total surface areas of a cuboid.

Q.4 How do you define a cube's or cuboid's surface area?

Q.5 Some cubes' sides are presented. Find the volume there. 45.2 cm, 36.2 cm, 15.3cm, 5 cm.

Also read more about the Difference Between Fraction and Rational Number.

Things to Remember

  1. Cubes are rectangular, but cuboids are square. A cube is something like an ice cube or a Rubik's cube. A cuboid is something like a matchstick or a lunch box.
  2. A cube is a three-dimensional square, while a cuboid is a three-dimensional rectangle. A cube and a cuboid may appear similar, but do not be mistaken. They are both varied in length, height, and breadth.
  3. A cuboid is a three-dimensional shape with three pairs of oppositely connected rectangular faces. These two faces are the same.
  4. Cuboids are also known as rectangular boxes, rectangular parallelepipeds, and right prisms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cuboid’s shape?

Ans. A cuboid is a two-dimensional form with six rectangular faces, eight vertices, and twelve edges. The length, width, and height of a cuboid are its three dimensions.

Are squares and cubes the same shape?

Ans. Cubes are three-dimensional objects with six square-shaped faces, whereas squares are two-dimensional shapes with equal-length sides.

What is the primary distinction between a cube and a cuboid?

Ans. The primary distinction between cuboid and cube faces is their form. A cuboid has a rectangular face, whereas a cube has a square face.

Is it possible for a cuboid to have two square faces?

Ans. A cuboid is a three-dimensional rectangular figure having six rectangular faces that are either parallel or perpendicular to each other. A cube is a figure with six square faces, whereas a square cuboid is a shape with two square faces and four rectangular faces.

Are cubes also known as cuboids?

Ans. Cubes are another sort of cuboid that has square faces.

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