Explanation:

Alright, let’s work through it together. Here’s the question:

48.99 × 342.81 ÷ (6.99)² + (12.99)² = x

Let’s make things easier:

- 48.99 is almost 49.

- 342.81 is about 343.

- 6.99² is pretty close to 49.

- 12.99² is nearly 13², which is 169.

Now, let’s substitute these values:

- 49 × 343 = 16,807.

- Divide that by 49 ? 16,807 ÷ 49 = 343.

- Now add 169: 343 + 169 = 512.

Now, let’s check out your answer—176. Comparing it to our calculated value, they're not close. Here’s what the options look like:

- 1: 161

- 2: 141

- 3: 143

- 4: 201

- 5: 176

None of the options match what we calculated—512—so, looking at the original steps, have we missed something?

Let's check with the actual decimals for a bit more precision:

- 48.99 × 342.81 ˜ 16,796

- (6.99)² ˜ 48.86

- 16,796 ÷ 48.86 ˜ 343.68

- (12.99)² ˜ 168.74

- 343.68 + 168.74 ˜ 512.42

Again, about 512. None of the given options come close, so maybe there’s a typo in the options. But out of the five, none work.