Donnichols/Getty Images

From digital art and architectural design to financial modeling and volume calculations, cube roots play a vital role in everyday problem solving. The ancient Egyptians even used cube root calculations to determine the proportions of their pyramids. While finding the cube of a number simply means multiplying it by itself twice, determining the cube root requires reversing that operation—a task that is surprisingly straightforward when you know the right calculator functions.

Finding a Cube Root on TI-84 / TI-83 Plus

TI graphing calculators are a staple in classrooms, and both the TI‑84 and TI‑83 Plus support cube root calculations natively. Here’s how:

1. Press the Math button to open the Math menu.
2. Use the arrow keys or tap the fourth entry to select the ∛ symbol.
3. Enter the radicand (the number whose cube root you want).
4. Press Enter to compute the result. If you have opened parentheses, close them before hitting Enter.

To graph the function y = ∛x, press y=, open the Math menu, choose the cube root, insert X by pressing X,T,θ,n, and then hit Graph. For more complex expressions—such as y = ∛(x–2)+3—enter the entire formula inside the cube root and then add the remaining terms after the symbol.

Calculating and Graphing on Casio FX‑9860GII / FX‑CG50

Casio graphing calculators use a slightly different key layout. Follow these steps:

1. Ensure you’re in Run Math mode: press Menu, select 1, then EXE.
2. Press Shift + the left parenthesis key to access the cube root function.
3. Enter the value and hit EXE to calculate.

To plot a cube root function:

1. Enter Graph mode via Menu → 5 → EXE.
2. Press Shift + left parenthesis, then X,θ,T to insert the variable.
3. Finish the expression, hit EXE, then press F6 (Draw) to display the graph.

These straightforward procedures let you both evaluate and visualize cube roots with precision, ensuring you can apply this mathematical tool in academic, professional, or creative contexts.