Question

Which value is equivalent to 5 − 2(3)2 + 4?

Answer 1

Interpret 2(3)2 as 2·(3)^2. Then by order of operations:

3^2 = 9
2·9 = 18
5 − 18 + 4 = 9 − 18 = −9

So the value is −9.

(If you meant 2·3·2 instead, the result would be 5 − 12 + 4 = −3.)