1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$3^2 - 5 + (8 - 2) \times 3(5 - 1) - 10$$. 2. **Recall order of operations (PEMDAS):** Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right). 3. **Simplify inside parentheses:** $$8 - 2 = 6$$ $$5 - 1 = 4$$ 4. **Rewrite expression with simplified parentheses:** $$3^2 - 5 + 6 \times 3 \times 4 - 10$$ 5. **Calculate exponent:** $$3^2 = 9$$ 6. **Rewrite expression:** $$9 - 5 + 6 \times 3 \times 4 - 10$$ 7. **Perform multiplication from left to right:** $$6 \times 3 = 18$$ $$18 \times 4 = 72$$ 8. **Rewrite expression:** $$9 - 5 + 72 - 10$$ 9. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right:** $$9 - 5 = 4$$ $$4 + 72 = 76$$ $$76 - 10 = 66$$ **Final answer:** $$66$$ Note: The options given (5, 1, 7, 2) do not match the correct simplified value 66, so none of the options A, B, C, or D is correct for the full expression as interpreted.