To evaluate the following expression, what steps should you do first? 7 × (4 + 16) ÷ 4 - 2

As according to PEMDAS, the step you should do first is (4+16) since it is in parentheses. Then, you do multiplication and division (order does not matter really, the two operations are on the same level so you just solve left to right) and addition and subtraction (order does not matter really, the two operations are on the same level so you just solve left to right).

1. do 4+16 which equals 20.
2. then do 7 x 20 which equals 140.
3. then divide 140 by 4 which equals 35.
4. then do 35 - 2 you'll get 33.
Hoped i can help.