1. **State the problem:** Calculate the values of $(-6)^2$ and $(-6)^3$. 2. **Recall the rules:** - Squaring a number means multiplying it by itself. - Cubing a number means multiplying it by itself three times. - When a negative number is raised to an even power, the result is positive. - When a negative number is raised to an odd power, the result is negative. 3. **Calculate $(-6)^2$:** $$(-6)^2 = (-6) \times (-6)$$ Multiplying two negatives gives a positive: $$= 36$$ 4. **Calculate $(-6)^3$:** $$(-6)^3 = (-6) \times (-6) \times (-6)$$ First multiply the first two: $$= 36 \times (-6)$$ Multiply positive by negative: $$= -216$$ **Final answers:** - $(-6)^2 = 36$ - $(-6)^3 = -216$