1. The problem asks to find the value of $b^3$ when $b = -3$. 2. The formula for raising a number to a power is $b^3 = b \times b \times b$. 3. Substitute $b = -3$ into the expression: $$(-3)^3 = (-3) \times (-3) \times (-3)$$ 4. Calculate step-by-step: - First, $(-3) \times (-3) = 9$ because a negative times a negative is positive. - Then multiply $9 \times (-3) = -27$ because a positive times a negative is negative. 5. Therefore, $b^3 = -27$ when $b = -3$. Final answer: $-27$