Please help me in solving this

Question

Given that a³ + 1/a³ = 18.    Find the value of a⁴ + 1/a⁴ - 3

Answer 1

1.  Does the first statement, an equation involving 18, require any parentheses?

2.  The second statement (find the value...) DOES NOT CONTAIN AN EQUATION, just an expression.

3.  Does the EXPRESSION in your second sentence require any parentheses (for a multi-term numerator)>>