Incorrect. Be sure to use the exponent rules: $\displaystyle{{\left({{x}}^{{n}}\right)}}^{{m}}={{x}}^{{{n}{m}}}\usepackage{cmbright}\Huge\$ , $\displaystyle{{x}}^{{n}}{{x}}^{{m}}={{x}}^{{{n}+{m}}}\usepackage{cmbright}\Huge\$ , and $\displaystyle\frac{{{x}}^{{n}}}{{{x}}^{{m}}}={{x}}^{{{n}-{m}}}\usepackage{cmbright}\Huge\$ . In this problem, $\displaystyle{{a}}^{{8}}{{\left({{a}}^{{5}}{{a}}^{{-{{2}}}}\right)}}^{{3}}={{a}}^{{8}}{{\left({{a}}^{{{5}-{2}}}\right)}}^{{3}}={{a}}^{{8}}{{\left({{a}}^{{3}}\right)}}^{{3}}\usepackage{cmbright}\Huge\$ . Does this help you simplify the expression?