What is the least possible number of cuts required to cut a cube into 64 identical pieces?

To divide a cube into 64 identical smaller cubes, we need 4 equal parts along each of the three dimensions (since 4 × 4 × 4 = 64). To obtain 4 equal parts along one dimension, we need 3 cuts. Therefore, along each of the three perpendicular dimensions we need 3 cuts, giving a total of 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 cuts. Rearrangement of pieces between cuts is not allowed in the standard interpretation, so the minimum number of straight cuts required is 9.