1. **State the problem:** Calculate the value of the expression $(-5)^2 - 2 \times (-9) + 6$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** We follow PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division from left to right, Addition and Subtraction from left to right). 3. **Calculate each part:** - $(-5)^2 = 25$ because squaring a negative number inside parentheses squares the number and makes it positive. - $-2 \times (-9) = 18$ because multiplying two negatives gives a positive. 4. **Substitute back:** $$25 + 18 + 6$$ 5. **Add all terms:** $$25 + 18 = 43$$ $$43 + 6 = 49$$ 6. **Final answer:** $49$.