Question: User: (2² y²) ² =
1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(2^2 y^2)^2$$.
2. **Recall the exponent rules:** When raising a power to another power, multiply the exponents: $$(a^m)^n = a^{m \times n}$$.
3. **Apply the rule to each factor inside the parentheses:**
$$ (2^2)^2 = 2^{2 \times 2} = 2^4 $$
$$ (y^2)^2 = y^{2 \times 2} = y^4 $$
4. **Combine the results:**
$$ (2^2 y^2)^2 = 2^4 y^4 $$
5. **Calculate the numerical power:**
$$ 2^4 = 16 $$
6. **Final simplified expression:**
$$ 16 y^4 $$