Evaluate (-5)³ + 5²: Combining Cube and Square Powers

To solve this problem, we'll calculate each part of the expression separately:

• Step 1: Calculate $(-5)^3$. Since $3$ is odd, $(-5)^3 = (-5) \cdot (-5) \cdot (-5) = -125$.
• Step 2: Calculate $5^2$. As $2$ is an even number, $5^2 = 5 \cdot 5 = 25$.
• Step 3: Add the results of the two calculations: $-125 + 25$.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: We calculated that $(-5)^3 = -125$.
Step 2: We found that $5^2 = 25$.
Step 3: Adding these results: $-125 + 25 = -100$.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $-100$.