1. The problem asks to state which operation needs to be completed first in each expression and then evaluate it. 2. According to the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), parentheses must be evaluated first. 3. Let's solve each part step-by-step: **a.** $4(5 - 9)$ - Step 1: Evaluate inside the parentheses: $5 - 9 = -4$ - Step 2: Multiply: $4 \times (-4) = -16$ **b.** $3 - 2(-7 + 1)$ - Step 1: Evaluate inside the parentheses: $-7 + 1 = -6$ - Step 2: Multiply: $2 \times (-6) = -12$ - Step 3: Subtract: $3 - (-12) = 3 + 12 = 15$ **c.** $(-3)^2 - (-4)^2$ - Step 1: Square each term: $(-3)^2 = 9$ $(-4)^2 = 16$ - Step 2: Subtract: $9 - 16 = -7$ **d.** $-8(7 - 12)^2$ - Step 1: Evaluate inside the parentheses: $7 - 12 = -5$ - Step 2: Square: $(-5)^2 = 25$ - Step 3: Multiply: $-8 \times 25 = -200$