What is the value of the expression 5^2 - 3^2?

To find the value of the expression (5^2 - 3^2), we first need to compute each square.

Calculating (5^2) gives us (5 \times 5 = 25).

Next, calculating (3^2) provides (3 \times 3 = 9).

Now, we subtract the two results:

[

25 - 9 = 16.

]

Therefore, the value of the expression (5^2 - 3^2) is (16). This approach aligns with the properties of squares, which can also be verified by applying the difference of squares formula, (a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)). Here, it would translate to ( (5 - 3)(5 + 3) = 2 \times 8 = 16), confirming the calculation methodically.

This makes the correct value of the expression (16), corresponding with one of the choices provided in the question.