To expand the expression \((-3 - 2y)^3\), we can use the binomial theorem or directly apply the formula for the cube of a binomial:
\[ (a+b)^3 = a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3 \]
In this case, let \(a = -3\) and \(b = -2y\).
Now, we can calculate each term:
- \(a^3 = (-3)^3 = -27\)
- \(3a^2b = 3(-3)^2(-2y) = 3(9)(-2y) = -54y\)
- \(3ab^2 = 3(-3)(-2y)^2 = 3(-3)(4y^2) = -36y^2\)
- \(b^3 = (-2y)^3 = -8y^3\)
Now, combining all these terms together:
\[ (-3 - 2y)^3 = -27 - 54y - 36y^2 - 8y^3 \]
Thus, the expanded form is:
\[ -8y^3 - 36y^2 - 54y - 27 \]