To simplify the following expression, which operation would you complete third? 9 + (16 - 2) 42 ÷ 8
simplify the exponent
multiply
add
divide

The rule of PEMDAS states that Parentheses always comes first, exponents always comes second, but Multiplication and Division are equal. Because multiplication and division are equal, you work left to right and do whatever operation comes first. Multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction, which also have an equal relationship.

Therefore, if you have simplified the terms inside the parentheses first, and have done the exponents second, then multiplication would come next. So that’s the answer, multiplication.