1. **State the problem:** Find the value of the expression $$5^2 - 3(2^2)$$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Calculate exponents first, then multiplication, and finally subtraction. 3. **Calculate each part:** - Calculate $$5^2 = 25$$. - Calculate $$2^2 = 4$$. - Multiply $$3 \times 4 = 12$$. 4. **Substitute back into the expression:** $$25 - 12$$ 5. **Perform the subtraction:** $$25 - 12 = 13$$ 6. **Final answer:** The value of the expression is $$13$$.