To simplify the expression \(- (b^{1/4})^{12}\), you can use the power of a power property of exponents, which states that \((a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n}\).
Applying this property, we have:
\[ -(b^{1/4})^{12} = -b^{(1/4) \cdot 12} = -b^{12/4} = -b^3 \]
Therefore, an equivalent expression for \(- (b^{1/4})^{12}\) is:
\[ -b^3 \]