1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $5 - 2(3)^2 + 4$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Use PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction). 3. **Calculate the exponent:** $3^2 = 9$. 4. **Substitute back:** The expression becomes $5 - 2 \times 9 + 4$. 5. **Multiply:** $2 \times 9 = 18$. 6. **Substitute:** $5 - 18 + 4$. 7. **Perform subtraction and addition from left to right:** $$5 - 18 + 4 = \cancel{5 - 18} + 4 = -13 + 4$$ 8. **Final addition:** $-13 + 4 = -9$. **Answer:** The value equivalent to the expression is **-9**.