I believe you are talking about exponents.
1^3 (exponent) + (4/2)x 5-17
For this you need to use pemdas
Parentheses ()
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction
If you have two exponent or parentheses you would just do what comes first
The same with multiplication and division. If you have 2(4)+5/2
You would first multiple and then divide
The same with addition and subtraction
But don’t mix addition and subtraction with multiplication and division
So therefore you would do the parentheses first in this problem
4/2=2
So now your problem is
1^3+(2)x5-17
Now you would do exponents
1^3=1
So your equation would be
1+(2)x5-17
Now we would multiply
1x2=2
2x5=10
So now you have
10-17=-7
Hope this helped