1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $5^2 - 4 \cdot 3 + \frac{28}{4}$. 2. **Recall 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:** $$5^2 = 25$$ 4. **Calculate multiplication and division from left to right:** $$4 \cdot 3 = 12$$ $$\frac{28}{4} = 7$$ 5. **Substitute these values back into the expression:** $$25 - 12 + 7$$ 6. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right:** $$25 - 12 = 13$$ $$13 + 7 = 20$$ **Final answer:** $$20$$