When a number is both preceded and followed by an operator, which rule determines the order of operations?

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the correct sequence to follow when performing mathematical calculations. This ensures consistency and accuracy in solving expressions that involve multiple operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. When a number is both preceded and followed by an operator, the order of operations is crucial to determine which operation to perform first.

In the context of this question, the order of operations (often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)) governs how to approach and simplify the expression accurately. For example, if you have an expression like 3 + 5 × 2, following the order of operations means you would perform the multiplication first before the addition.

The other choices do not directly address the principle governing the sequence of operations in mathematical expressions. Distribution refers specifically to the process of multiplying a single term by each term inside a set of parentheses. Evaluation pertains to finding the value of an expression. Grouping involves using parentheses to indicate which operations should be performed first, but it does not provide a complete rule for the overall order of operations. Thus, the concept of the order of operations is the