1. **State the problem:** We are given the volume of a cube as 1728 cubic inches and need to find the side length in inches. 2. **Formula:** The volume $V$ of a cube with side length $s$ is given by: $$V = s^3$$ 3. **Apply the formula:** Substitute $V = 1728$: $$1728 = s^3$$ 4. **Solve for $s$:** Take the cube root of both sides: $$s = \sqrt[3]{1728}$$ 5. **Calculate the cube root:** Since $12^3 = 1728$, we have: $$s = 12$$ 6. **Answer:** The side length of the cube is 12 inches.