1. **State the problem:** Find the value of the expression $$8 + 6 \div 2(3)^2 - 5$$. 2. **Recall the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS):** - Parentheses/Brackets - Exponents/Orders - Multiplication and Division (from left to right) - Addition and Subtraction (from left to right) 3. **Evaluate the exponent:** $$3^2 = 9$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $$8 + 6 \div 2 \times 9 - 5$$ 5. **Perform division and multiplication from left to right:** - First, $$6 \div 2 = 3$$ - Then, $$3 \times 9 = 27$$ 6. **Substitute back:** $$8 + 27 - 5$$ 7. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right:** - $$8 + 27 = 35$$ - $$35 - 5 = 30$$ **Final answer:** $$30$$ Therefore, the value of the expression is 30, which corresponds to option b).