Final answer:
The expression 3 · (5+4)² - 4² is evaluated by first adding the numbers within the parentheses, raising the sum to the second power, multiplying by 3, and then subtracting 4 squared, resulting in an answer of 227.
Step-by-step explanation:
To evaluate the exponential expression 3 · (5+4)² - 4², we follow the order of operations, also known as PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction).
- First, solve the expression inside the parentheses: (5+4).
- Next, raise the result to the power of 2: 9².
- Then, multiply that result by 3.
- Finally, subtract the square of 4 from that result.
The calculations are as follows:
- (5+4) = 9
- 9² = 81
- 3 · 81 = 243
- 4² = 16
- 243 - 16 = 227
Therefore, the correct answer is 227, which corresponds to option D.