---
title: "Define dicing"
subject: "Data Mining"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_7/data_mining:define-dicing"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/data_mining/define-dicing
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define dicing

Data Mining · Chapter 2: Data Pre-processing

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [OLAP operations with real life example | Data Warehouse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLqE2EKiAy4) — Gate Smashers
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/data_mining/define-dicing
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/data_mining/chapter-2

## Question

Define dicing with example.

## Short answer

Dicing is an OLAP operation that selects values or ranges on two or more dimensions, producing a smaller sub-cube with the same number of dimensions. Example: from a sales cube, dice with time = Q1 or Q2, location = Kathmandu or Pokhara, item = mobile or laptop yields a smaller 2x2x2 cube.

## Answer

**Dicing** is an OLAP operation that selects **values (or ranges) on two or more dimensions** of a data cube, producing a smaller sub-cube with the same number of dimensions. It is like a WHERE condition on several dimensions.

**Example**: from the sales cube (time, item, location), dice with
`time = Q1 or Q2` and `location = Kathmandu or Pokhara` and `item = mobile or laptop`.
The result is a smaller 2 × 2 × 2 cube containing only those cells.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What does dicing do?
   A. Selects one value on one dimension
   B. Summarises data to a higher hierarchy level
   C. Converts rows to columns
   D. Selects values or ranges on two or more dimensions, giving a smaller sub-cube
   Answer: D. Dicing is like a WHERE condition on several dimensions. (Key point: Dice definition)

2. How many dimensions does the result of a dice have compared with the original cube?
   A. The same number
   B. One fewer
   C. One more
   D. Zero
   Answer: A. Dice keeps all dimensions but restricts their values; slice removes a dimension. (Key point: Dimensions after dice)

3. Dicing with 2 values each of time, location and item gives what size cube?
   A. 2 x 2
   B. 2 x 2 x 2
   C. 3 x 3 x 3
   D. 1 x 1 x 1
   Answer: B. Two selected values on each of three dimensions give a 2 x 2 x 2 sub-cube. (Key point: Dice example)