b = -0.5 and a = 1. 2=3+-1. 1 to the third power is just 1, times 8 is 8. -0.5 to the third power is -0.125. -0.125 times 8 is -1. 8 - (-1) is 9. 36 times 1 is 36, times -0.5 is -18. 9-(-18) = 27. I hope this helps! Could I possibly get brainliest?