Final answer:
The operation to perform first in the expression 12×42 is multiplication, since it's the only operation present. This follows from the rules of order of operations in Mathematics.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given mathematical expression, which is 12×42, the operation that should be performed first is multiplication because it's the only operation present. In the study of Mathematics, specifically order of operations, if a mathematical expression consists of a single operation such as this one, you perform that operation. Therefore, the correct response from the options given is Option 3: Multiplication.
Learn more about Order of Operations