Answer
The work that the tooth does on the licorice is $~~1.1~J$
Work Step by Step
We can find the distance $x$ that the licorice is compressed:
$F = kx$
$x = \frac{F}{k}$
$x = \frac{750~N}{2.5\times 10^5~N/m}$
$x = 3.0\times 10^{-3}~m$
We can find the potential energy:
$U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$
$U = \frac{1}{2}(2.5\times 10^5~N/m)(3.0\times 10^{-3}~m)^2$
$U = 1.1~J$
This energy is equal to the work that the tooth does on the licorice.
The work that the tooth does on the licorice is $~~1.1~J$
