Cube root is one of three equal factors of a number (see Factor). The same number (m) taken as a factor three times is the cube root of another number (n). Thus, m X m X m = n. For example, 2 is the cube root of 8, because 2 X 2 X 2 = 8, and -5 is the cube root of -125, because -5 X -5 X -5 = -125. A real number has only one real cube root, which is positive or negative, according to whether the given number is positive or negative. When a cube root or any other root of a number is to be extracted (determined), another symbol is placed over the number. This symbol is called the root sign, or radical sign. If the root to be extracted is a cube root, a small figure 3 is added to the root sign.