1. **State the problem:** Calculate the value of the expression $$4^2 - (13 - 4)$$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** We first evaluate exponents, then parentheses, and finally subtraction. 3. **Calculate the exponent:** $$4^2 = 16$$. 4. **Evaluate the parentheses:** $$13 - 4 = 9$$. 5. **Substitute these values back into the expression:** $$16 - 9$$. 6. **Perform the subtraction:** $$16 - 9 = 7$$. **Final answer:** $$7$$.