Which mathematical operation would you perform first in the order of operations?

In the order of operations, operations enclosed in parentheses are always performed first. This is a fundamental rule in mathematics known as PEMDAS, which stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

When you encounter an expression with parentheses, it indicates that you should first simplify what is inside the parentheses before proceeding with other operations like multiplication, addition, or subtraction. This ensures that the calculations are performed in a systematic way and leads to the correct result.

For example, in the expression 2 + (3 × 5), you would first calculate the value inside the parentheses (3 × 5 = 15), and only then add that result to 2, yielding 17. Neglecting to address the parentheses first could lead to significant errors in the calculation. Thus, recognizing the importance of parentheses in the order of operations is crucial for accurate mathematical problem-solving.