Algebra ****s. I hate it with a passion. Help?

8+|5-4|+8 to the 3rd power... I don't think the absolute value changes the answer so it is just 9+8cubed. Thats not all though.9+8cubed________7-4Somehow I got 4096/3........ I don't get it, is 8 cubed 8X8X8 or 8X8X8X8? It may be 512/3.... When it says 3rd power I want to multiply 8 three times... 8X8 is one time, 64X8 a second, and then 512X8 a third..... but thats not how it works, is it?Math should be outlawed. I mean I can debate PhDs in history but be overwhelmed by 10th grade math and 8th grade science teachers. Its dishonorable. It keeps me humble though.