1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $3 \times 10 + 8 - 4^2$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Use PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division from left to right, Addition and Subtraction from left to right). 3. **Calculate the exponent:** $4^2 = 16$. 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $3 \times 10 + 8 - 16$. 5. **Perform the multiplication:** $3 \times 10 = 30$. 6. **Rewrite the expression:** $30 + 8 - 16$. 7. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right:** $$30 + 8 - 16 = 38 - 16$$ 8. **Calculate the final result:** $$38 - 16 = 22$$ **Final answer:** $22$