2. Find the volume of a cube with \( 11 / 4 \)-inch sides.

To find the volume of a cube, you simply raise the length of one side to the third power (multiply it by itself three times). So for a cube with sides of \( \frac{11}{4} \) inches, the volume would be: \[ \text{Volume} = \left( \frac{11}{4} \right)^3 = \frac{11^3}{4^3} = \frac{1331}{64} \text{ cubic inches}. \] That gives you a volume of approximately \( 20.828125 \) cubic inches! Measuring your cube's volume can come in handy in many real-world situations. For example, if you're packing boxes for a move or calculating how much space you'll need for storage, knowing the volume helps you make better decisions about how many items will fit—or if you need a bigger box! When calculating the volume, a common mistake is forgetting to cube the side length correctly, especially when working with fractions. Always double-check your math: \( \frac{11}{4} \) needs to be multiplied three times! Additionally, it’s super helpful to convert fractions to decimals before multiplying if that feels easier.