1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$3^2 - 5 + (8 - 2) \quad \text{and} \quad 3(5 - 1) - 10$$ and find the correct answer from the options A 5, B 1, C 7, D 2. 2. **Simplify the first part:** $$3^2 - 5 + (8 - 2)$$ - Calculate the exponent: $$3^2 = 9$$ - Calculate inside the parentheses: $$8 - 2 = 6$$ - Substitute back: $$9 - 5 + 6$$ - Simplify step-by-step: $$9 - 5 = 4$$ then $$4 + 6 = 10$$ 3. **Simplify the second part:** $$3(5 - 1) - 10$$ - Calculate inside the parentheses: $$5 - 1 = 4$$ - Multiply: $$3 \times 4 = 12$$ - Subtract: $$12 - 10 = 2$$ 4. **Combine the two results:** - The problem is ambiguous if it means to add or compare the two expressions. Usually, such problems ask for the value of the entire expression if written as one line or the second expression alone. - Since the question is multiple choice and the second expression simplifies to 2, which matches option D, and the first expression simplifies to 10 which is not an option, the answer is likely the second expression's value. **Final answer:** D 2