To simplify the expression 5 - 2 x 3 squared, we need to follow the order of operations, which is commonly known as PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division from left to right, and Addition and Subtraction from left to right).
1. Start with the exponent: 3 squared means 3 raised to the power of 2, which is 3 x 3 = 9.
2. Multiply 2 by 9: 2 x 9 = 18.
3. Subtract 18 from 5: 5 - 18 = -13.
Therefore, the value of the expression 5 - 2 x 3 squared is -13.