d( x ) = −x3 You want d(4a2) So take out the x's and put empty parentheses in their place, like this: d( x ) = −x3 d( ) = -( )3 Then put 4a2 in the empty parentheses: d(4a2) = -(4a2)3 Then simplify the right side, d(4a2) = -43a6 d(4a2) = -64a6 Edwin