Description: Precedence refers to the order in which operations are performed in expressions. This concept is fundamental in programming and mathematics, as it determines how compound expressions are evaluated. For example, in an expression that combines addition and multiplication, multiplication is performed before addition unless parentheses are used to alter this order. The precedence of operators can vary between different programming languages, making it crucial for developers to understand how it works in the specific context they are using. Additionally, precedence not only affects the outcome of operations but can also influence the readability and maintainability of code, as a misunderstanding of this concept can lead to subtle and hard-to-detect errors. Therefore, it is essential for programmers to be aware of the precedence rules in the programming languages they are using to avoid unexpected behaviors in their applications.