What is the process of simplifying multiplication and division in an expression?

What is the process of simplifying multiplication and division in an expression?

• A. From left to right
• B. All multiplications first
• C. From right to left
• D. Exponents first

Answer: (A)

When you have both multiplication and division in an expression, you work through it from left to right. These operations share the same level of priority, so you don’t automatically do all multiplication first or work from the right. Start at the left and perform each operation as you encounter it, moving to the right. For example, in 12 ÷ 3 × 4 you first divide 12 by 3 to get 4, then multiply by 4 to get 16. Doing it from right to left or grouping all multiplications first can give different results (for instance, 12 ÷ (3 × 4) equals 1), which isn’t the standard rule. Exponents come first only when present, but the process for multiplying and dividing specifically is left-to-right.

When you have both multiplication and division in an expression, you work through it from left to right. These operations share the same level of priority, so you don’t automatically do all multiplication first or work from the right. Start at the left and perform each operation as you encounter it, moving to the right. For example, in 12 ÷ 3 × 4 you first divide 12 by 3 to get 4, then multiply by 4 to get 16. Doing it from right to left or grouping all multiplications first can give different results (for instance, 12 ÷ (3 × 4) equals 1), which isn’t the standard rule. Exponents come first only when present, but the process for multiplying and dividing specifically is left-to-right.