What is 3 to the 3 Power? Lessons from a Simple Number

Crack open a calculator and type in 3 × 3 × 3. The answer you get is 27. That’s what it means when someone says '3 to the 3 power.' But why does this simple math pop up so much in motivational quotes and advice?

There’s something about the number three that just clicks with people. Maybe it’s because most of us can remember three things pretty easily. Think about famous quotes like 'mind, body, spirit' or 'past, present, future.' Groups of three just sound right—they stick in your head.

• What Does 3 to the 3 Power Mean?
• The Hidden Meaning of Threes
• Why Motivational Quotes Love the Power of Three
• Turning 27 into Daily Goals
• Try the Rule of Three for Yourself

What Does 3 to the 3 Power Mean?

If you see the phrase 3 to the 3 power, it just means you’re multiplying 3 by itself three times. Written out, it looks like this: 3 × 3 × 3. When you do the math, you get 27. That’s why you might see '3³' written in textbooks or hear people call it the 'cube' of 3.

In math-speak, the first number (the 3) is called the “base,” and the little raised number (the other 3) is called the “exponent.” So 3 to the 3 power is the same as raising 3 to the exponent of 3. Pretty simple, right?

Here's a quick look at what happens if you keep going with other numbers to the third power:

So, whenever someone says 3 to the 3 power or 3³, you know it’s just 3 × 3 × 3, which gives you 27. Nothing tricky hiding here—just a neat little way math builds on itself.

You’ll notice this comes up a lot in real life too, especially when talking about cubes, or when people use it as a symbol in motivational quotes about building habits or skills.

The Hidden Meaning of Threes

Look around, and you'll notice the number three everywhere—in stories, life lessons, even comedy punchlines. There's real science behind why threes work. Researchers from the University of California found that our brains can neatly process and remember things grouped in threes much more than longer lists. That's why advertisers love phrases like "Just Do It" or "Eat, Pray, Love."

You see it in religion, too: Christianity has the Holy Trinity, and in Hinduism, there’s Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Even ancient philosophers leaned into this idea with concepts like "thesis, antithesis, synthesis."

When it comes to motivational quotes and self-improvement, sets of three help ideas stick. Here’s a table showing just how often threes show up:

Some say sets of three give a feeling of completeness and flow. Try to list out four things, and it just feels clunky. Big brands, coaches, and authors use this trick on purpose. If you catch yourself drawn to advice or quotes that come in threes, know there’s a reason—you’re wired to like the power of three.

Why Motivational Quotes Love the Power of Three

Ever noticed how motivational quotes just hit harder when they come in threes? Think of 'Live, Laugh, Love' or 'Stop, Drop, and Roll.' It’s not a fluke. There’s science behind it—psychologists call it the 'rule of three.' Our brains latch onto threes because it’s the smallest number we need to build a pattern. Anything more is hard to remember, and anything less feels incomplete.

Writers, speakers, and even advertising agencies lean on the power of three because it just works. Studies have shown people remember lists or phrases with three points over longer lists. That also means you’re more likely to repeat and use a quote if it follows this rule because your mind grabs on to it faster.

Here’s a quick look at why threes work so well in motivational phrases:

• Rhythm and flow: Three words or ideas make quotes catchy and easy to repeat.
• Simplicity: Three is enough to get your point across, but not so much that it feels overwhelming.
• Power: The brain sees three as complete, so the advice feels whole and trustworthy.

Just for fun, check out some of the most popular quotes ever and notice the three-part punch—they’re everywhere. Brands use it for slogans. Coaches drum it into players (offense, defense, teamwork). Even schools teach with it (read, write, count). If you want advice to stick, make it three steps, three ideas, or three actions.

Here's a quick data table that shows how often three-part quotes get shared compared to longer or shorter ones based on a small 2023 Twitter study:

Your odds are better with three. Next time you want something to inspire or stick, remember—threes will usually win.

Turning 27 into Daily Goals

When you break down 3 to the 3 power—basically 27—you get a perfect number to set up your daily habits. It’s big enough to push your limits, but not so huge that you’ll burn out. It’s why a lot of productivity experts use micro-goals, and 27 has actually become pretty popular as a magic number for personal growth challenges.

So, how does 27 fit into your routine? Imagine this: You pick three areas of your life you want to improve—let’s say fitness, learning, and relationships. In each area, decide on three specific goals. For every goal, write down three simple actions you can do daily. That adds up to 27 tiny moves, spread out and totally manageable.

• 3 main focus areas (like health, work, hobbies)
• 3 clear goals for each area
• 3 micro-actions for each goal

Science backs this up too. According to a 2022 study published in the "Journal of Applied Psychology," people who set no more than three clear daily tasks are 40% more likely to complete them, compared to those who overload their lists. And stacking micro-actions keeps things realistic—not overwhelming.

"Small, consistent actions have a compounding effect—just like multiplying numbers. Focus on less, and you’ll end up with more." – James Clear, author of Atomic Habits

Here’s a super practical way to use the power of 27 in your daily routine:

1. List three areas you want to boost right now.
2. Under each, jot down three honest goals (not generic stuff—make them clear, like read five pages every night, or call a friend every Sunday).
3. For each goal, write three super-easy steps you can actually do today.

You don’t have to nail all 27 every day. The idea is you’re building momentum with small wins. That’s how 27 goes from math trivia to a real self improvement hack. Try it for a week—see how it changes your energy and focus.

Try the Rule of Three for Yourself

If you want to put the power of three to work in your own life, it’s actually easier than you might think. Tons of successful people swear by it because it keeps things simple and helps you stay focused. Here’s how you can start using the rule of three:

• Pick Your Top 3 Goals: Every morning, jot down the three most important things you want to get done. Focusing on just three keeps you from spreading yourself too thin.
• Group Your Tasks: Break big projects into chunks of three. For example, "plan, execute, review" covers pretty much any task without overcomplicating it.
• Use It in Speech: Want to make a point stick? Share your ideas in groups of three. Studies show that people remember lists of three better than longer lists.

Check this out—Steve Jobs, who was basically the king of product launches, once said,

“I’m going to talk about three things today.”

No fancy introductions, just three clear points that hit home. Turns out, presentations that stick to three main ideas are 70% more likely to be remembered a week later, according to a 2019 survey from Presentation Guru.

If you’re the type who loves tracking progress, try this trick for a week: At the end of each day, look at your three goals. Did you finish at least two? You’re making real progress. Missed all three? No sweat—adjust your approach for tomorrow. This method keeps things doable and prevents burnout.

The rule of three isn’t just some random trend. It’s backed by real-world results and makes your daily routine a lot less stressful. Give it a shot—you’ll be surprised how a little bit of structure makes reaching your goals way more manageable.