The OCR was not able to extract the text clearly from the image. However, based on visual inspection, the expression appears to be:

$\left( \frac{7}{-8} \right)^{-2} \cdot (-8^4)$

Let's break it down and solve step by step:

Step 1: Simplifying $\left( \frac{7}{-8} \right)^{-2}$

For a fraction raised to a negative power: $\left( \frac{a}{b} \right)^{-n} = \left( \frac{b}{a} \right)^n$ So: $\left( \frac{7}{-8} \right)^{-2} = \left( \frac{-8}{7} \right)^2 = \frac{64}{49}$

Step 2: Simplifying $(-8^4)$

We calculate the power: $-8^4 = -(8^4) = -(4096) = -4096$

Step 3: Multiplying the results

Now, multiply the results of both steps: $\frac{64}{49} \cdot (-4096) = \frac{64 \cdot (-4096)}{49} = \frac{-262144}{49}$

Thus, the simplified result is: $\frac{-262144}{49}$

Would you like further details or explanations on any part of this? Here are some follow-up questions you might consider:

1. What is the general rule for handling negative exponents?
2. How do you simplify complex fractions like $\left( \frac{7}{-8} \right)^{-2}$?
3. What is the significance of distributing negative signs in exponents and multiplication?
4. How would this change if we had positive exponents for both terms?
5. Can we represent this result as a decimal approximation?

Tip: Always check if negative signs are inside or outside the parentheses when dealing with powers!