Simplify the following expression completely: \( \left(-3 y^{8}\right)^{2} \) Answer:

To simplify the expression \( \left(-3 y^{8}\right)^{2} \), follow these steps: 1. **Apply the exponent to both the coefficient and the variable separately:** \[ \left(-3 y^{8}\right)^{2} = (-3)^2 \cdot \left(y^{8}\right)^2 \] 2. **Calculate each part:** - \( (-3)^2 = 9 \) - \( \left(y^{8}\right)^2 = y^{8 \times 2} = y^{16} \) 3. **Combine the results:** \[ 9 \cdot y^{16} = 9y^{16} \] **Answer:** \( 9y^{16} \)