The question asks about the order of operations in arithmetic, which involves choosing the operation that should be performed first when multiple operations are present in a calculation.

The correct order of operations is commonly remembered by the acronym PEMDAS:

1. Parentheses
2. Exponents (including roots, such as square roots)
3. Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
4. Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

According to PEMDAS, the first operation that should be performed is Parentheses. Therefore, the correct answer is:

• A. Parentheses

Would you like more details on this topic or have any other questions?

Here are five related questions to expand your understanding:

1. What is the correct order of operations when exponents and parentheses are both present?
2. How does the order of operations apply in a complex expression with all the operations included?
3. Can the order of operations change if multiplication and division are both present without parentheses?
4. Why is it important to follow the order of operations in mathematics?
5. How does the order of operations apply when dealing with nested parentheses?

Tip: A helpful way to remember the order of operations is through the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally," which corresponds to Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, and Addition/Subtraction.