What is the line of thought or sequence of thought for solving simple algebraic expressions?

When I'm asked to solve the expression (5k)k^3....first I check with my list of exponent rules, and there are always a few that could be used to solve the expression.I just don't know where to start first and at times arrive at an incorrect answer.

So,I just want to know..what should be my thought process, generally,in solving expressions like (5k)k^3 and similar ones.

Thank you.

(5k)k^3 = (5k^1)k^3 = 5k^4

(5k)k^3 = 5 * k * k * k * k