Final answer:
To simplify the expression 2 - 8 ÷ 5.4 + 7, division should be performed first according to the order of operations (PEMDAS).
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the given expression 2 - 8 ÷ 5.4 + 7, one must follow the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction). Since there are no parentheses or exponents to deal with in this expression, you should look next at multiplication and division. According to this order, division comes before both addition and subtraction, which means that division is the operation that should be performed first. Therefore, you must divide 8 by 5.4 before proceeding with the remaining operations.
Examples of basic operations: When two positive numbers multiply, such as 2x3, the answer is positive (6). Conversely, when dividing numbers, such as 2 ÷ 2, the result follows the multiplication rules for the sign. Hence, the correct choice here is Division (Option C).