b. \( \sqrt[3]{x^{2}} \)

Understanding the cube root can take you on a fascinating journey back to ancient civilizations. The concept of roots dates back thousands of years, with the Babylonians and Greeks delving into the realm of square and cube roots. They used geometric interpretations and meticulous calculations to find these values long before the advent of modern algebra, showcasing their impressive mathematical prowess! In practice, cube roots are incredibly useful in various fields, especially in science and engineering. If you're working with volume, for instance, knowing that the volume of a cube is given by side length cubed means you'll often need to find the cube root to determine the side length! So next time you're calculating how much space a neat cubic container will take up, don't forget to whip out that cube root!