1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $(-3)^2 - (-1)^3$. 2. **Recall the rules:** - Squaring a number means multiplying it by itself. - Cubing a number means multiplying it by itself three times. - Negative numbers raised to an even power become positive. - Negative numbers raised to an odd power remain negative. 3. **Calculate each term:** - $(-3)^2 = (-3) \times (-3) = 9$ - $(-1)^3 = (-1) \times (-1) \times (-1) = -1$ 4. **Substitute back:** $$9 - (-1)$$ 5. **Simplify:** $$9 + 1 = 10$$ **Final answer:** $10$