How many 1/2 cm cubes will fit in a cube with a side length of 8 cm?

Math it's appreciated. (picture provided)

Does anyone know how to solve and graph this: 4 + | a + 2 | < 7the only part i don't get is the "4 +"

Astudent draws two parabolas on graph paper. both parabolas cross the x-axis at (–4, 0) and (6, 0). the y-intercept of the first parabola is (0, –12). the y-intercept of the second parabola is (0, –24). what is the positive difference between the a values for the two functions that describe the parabolas? write your answer as a decimal rounded to the nearest tenth