Identify the expression to evaluate: \(\left(-4\right)^4\).
Recall that raising a number to a power means multiplying that number by itself as many times as the exponent indicates. Here, the exponent is 4, so multiply \(-4\) by itself 4 times: \((-4) \times (-4) \times (-4) \times (-4)\).
Multiply the first two factors: \((-4) \times (-4) = 16\). Remember that a negative times a negative is a positive.
Multiply the next two factors similarly: \((-4) \times (-4) = 16\).
Finally, multiply the two results: \(16 \times 16 = 256\). This gives the value of \(\left(-4\right)^4\).