Question

Which operation should be performed first when simplifying this expression 40 ÷ (5 + 3) x 8 + 1 A 40 ÷ 5 because it is the first operation when reading left to right B 5 + 3 because the operation in the parentheses should be performed first C 3 * 8 because multiplication should be performed before addition D 8 + 1 because it is the first operation when reading left to right

Answer 1

When simplifying the expression \( 40 ÷ (5 + 3) \times 8 + 1 \), the correct operation to perform first is **B**: \( 5 + 3 \) because the operation in the parentheses should be performed first.

According to the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), parentheses take precedence over division and multiplication. After resolving the operation in parentheses, you would then continue with division and multiplication from left to right.