Expand . (Write the terms with higher degree first, so for example an term would come before or .)

(x^2 + x^-1)^3

[x^2]^3 + 3(x^2)^2*(x^-1) + 3(x^2)*(x^-1)^2 + (x^-1)^3  =

x^6  + 3x^3 + 3 + 1/x^3

Note, Mellie....this might also be shown with the constant term, last....thusly:

x^6  + 3x^3  + 1/x^3   + 3