Algebra1 or 2 Help?

Question

simplify the expression.

(-z)^3 (3^4)

Isn't it already simplified because you can't combine -z with z.
Help?

Answer 1

Another way is -3(3z)^3
This captures the possibly important observation that
there is a z cubed factor present, and also a 3 cubed
factor present. Besides the 3z cubed in the simplified
version, there is a -3 coefficient. There's no unique
100 percent right answer here (unless your teacher has
let you know that there is a certain way to do it to get
a test answer correct ... and in that case you should
do it that way! )

Answer 2

You could write it as:

-81 z^3

In general, constant terms (3^4) aren't left with exponents on them; they're multiplied out. And the minus sign can be carried out since it is an odd-numbered power of z.

Answer 3

( - z ) ³ x 81 = - 81 z ³