In the order of operations, what comes before multiplication?

In the order of operations, multiplication and division are of equal precedence and are performed from left to right. However, operations within parentheses take precedence over both multiplication and division. This means that any calculations enclosed in parentheses should be carried out first before addressing multiplication or division.

This concept underscores the importance of parentheses in mathematics, as they clearly indicate which calculations should be prioritized. Therefore, the correct answer identifies the category of operations that must be resolved first before addressing multiplication, ensuring clarity in mathematical expressions.

In contrast, the other options pertain to operations that occur after addressing any expressions within parentheses.