distribute the exponent (2x^3)^2?

4x^6

(2x³)(2x³) = 4x^6

(2x^3)^2
= 2^2(x^3)^2
= 4x^6

4x^6

If by employing distribute you mean which you purely have have been given to take 2^2 and r^2 and t^2--then useful---think of of it as (2rt)(2rt) = 4r^2t^2 even in spite of the undeniable fact that beware---if there is addition or subtraction interior the parenthesis--then NO!!! So be careful!!!!!

(2x^3)^2
=(2x)^(3*2)
=(2x)^6
=64x^6 (that means 64 * x^6)

2x^6