But don't forget the PEMDAS order of operations. Multiplication and division must come first, THEN addition and subtraction. The multiplication (40x0) comes first, so you come up with 40+(0)+1. From there, it's self explanatory.
No, but because of the order of operations, the parentheses are not necessary. PEMDAS, of course, stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction. That is the order that a math problem must be completed in. Therefore, since Multiplication comes before Addition, you must do the multiplication of 40x0 first. This is a universal rule of mathematics.
Derstrom8 is right, of course, and it's scary how many people get this wrong, this is third-grade math. This question is making the rounds on Facebook, and MOST people are choosing the wrong answer!
When I went to school (many years ago) and had to undertake the basic maths lessons taught to all and sundry, there was no mention whatsoever of PEMDAS/BODMAS or any other derivative of acronyms. There was basic maths for the normal kids and higher maths for the geeky ones.
We had some encounters with algebra, but there was no mention that certain rules apply to mathematical equations not containing parentheses.
Do yourselves a test:
Open a calculator in Windows.
Do the calculation on a standard calculator.
Then do it again on a scientific calculator.
Some calculators have PEMDAS/BODMAS programmed into them, whereas others require you to know it already. Generally it's the newer ones that have it programmed in already. That's my experience, anyway.
Unfortunately, questions such as these are a waste of time because they cause people to argue over precedence. So the correct answer is "state the precedence rules you want to use first -- then it's easy to calculate the answer.