1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $12 \times 2^3 - 8 + 5(7 + 3^2)$. 2. **Recall order of operations (PEMDAS):** Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right). 3. **Calculate exponents:** $2^3 = 8$ $3^2 = 9$ 4. **Substitute back:** $12 \times 8 - 8 + 5(7 + 9)$ 5. **Simplify inside parentheses:** $7 + 9 = 16$ 6. **Expression becomes:** $12 \times 8 - 8 + 5 \times 16$ 7. **Perform multiplications:** $12 \times 8 = 96$ $5 \times 16 = 80$ 8. **Expression now:** $96 - 8 + 80$ 9. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right:** $96 - 8 = 88$ $88 + 80 = 168$ **Final answer:** $168$