In the order of operations, which step comes first?

• A. Subtraction
• B. Multiplication
• C. Parentheses
• D. Exponents

Answer: (C)

In the order of operations, parentheses come first. This is because any calculations inside parentheses should be completed before any other operations. The purpose of parentheses is to indicate which operations should be performed first to clarify any potential ambiguity in the expression.

When solving a mathematical expression that involves multiple operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and parentheses, following the order of operations—often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division from left to right, Addition and Subtraction from left to right)—ensures that the calculations are done in the correct sequence. Therefore, addressing operations within parentheses is the priority, as they can affect the outcome of the overall expression significantly.

This makes parentheses a crucial starting point in analyzing any mathematical problem requiring multiple steps or operations, establishing a clear and structured approach to problem-solving.