<P> These conventions exist to eliminate ambiguity while allowing notation to be as brief as possible . Where it is desired to override the precedence conventions, or even simply to emphasize them, parentheses () (sometimes replaced by brackets () or braces () for readability) can indicate an alternate order or reinforce the default order to avoid confusion . For example, (2 + 3) × 4 = 20 forces addition to precede multiplication, and (3 + 5) = 64 forces addition to precede exponentiation . </P> <P> The order of operations used throughout mathematics, science, technology and many computer programming languages is expressed here: </P> <Ol> <Li> exponents and roots </Li> <Li> multiplication and division </Li> <Li> addition and subtraction </Li> </Ol> <Li> exponents and roots </Li>

In order of operations does multiplication come before division