The problem is to evaluate the expression $3(-5) + 5^2 - 1$.

1. Problem Description

The problem is to evaluate the expression $3(-5) + 5^2 - 1$.

2. Solution Steps

First, we calculate $3(-5)$.

$3(-5) = -15$

Next, we calculate $5^2$.

$5^2 = 5 \times 5 = 25$

Now, we substitute these values back into the expression.

$3(-5) + 5^2 - 1 = -15 + 25 - 1$

Then, we perform the addition and subtraction from left to right.

$-15 + 25 = 10$

$10 - 1 = 9$

3. Final Answer

The value of the expression is 9.