2. given the expression f(g(k( where f, g, and k are functions, what operation should be
performed first? does the order matter? why or why not?

You must start with the innermost function.

First you evaluate k(x). Then you evaluate g(k(x)).

Finally you evaluate f(g(k(x))).

The order does matter. If you evaluate in a different order, you will be inputting wrong numbers into each subsequent function generating an incorrect answer.