1. **Evaluate the expression:** b) $-6(12 \div 3) + (-7)(-4)$ Step 1: Calculate inside the parentheses: $12 \div 3 = 4$ Step 2: Multiply: $-6 \times 4 = -24$ Step 3: Multiply: $(-7) \times (-4) = 28$ Step 4: Add the results: $-24 + 28 = 4$ c) $(-2)^2 - (-3 + 5)$ Step 1: Calculate the exponent: $(-2)^2 = 4$ Step 2: Calculate inside parentheses: $-3 + 5 = 2$ Step 3: Subtract: $4 - 2 = 2$ d) $\frac{2}{3} \times \left(-\frac{9}{10}\right)$ Step 1: Multiply numerators: $2 \times (-9) = -18$ Step 2: Multiply denominators: $3 \times 10 = 30$ Step 3: Simplify fraction: $\frac{-18}{30} = \frac{\cancel{-18}}{\cancel{30}} = \frac{-3}{5}$ Answer: $-\frac{3}{5}$ e) $\frac{4}{9} \div \frac{2}{3}$ Step 1: Division of fractions is multiplication by reciprocal: $\frac{4}{9} \times \frac{3}{2}$ Step 2: Multiply numerators: $4 \times 3 = 12$ Step 3: Multiply denominators: $9 \times 2 = 18$ Step 4: Simplify fraction: $\frac{12}{18} = \frac{\cancel{12}}{\cancel{18}} = \frac{2}{3}$ f) $\frac{1}{2} + \frac{3}{4} - \frac{5}{8}$ Step 1: Find common denominator: 8 Step 2: Convert fractions: $\frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{8}$, $\frac{3}{4} = \frac{6}{8}$ Step 3: Add and subtract: $\frac{4}{8} + \frac{6}{8} - \frac{5}{8} = \frac{4 + 6 - 5}{8} = \frac{5}{8}$ **Final answers for evaluation:** b) 4 c) 2 d) $-\frac{3}{5}$ e) $\frac{2}{3}$ f) $\frac{5}{8}$