[Bikkuri]

48÷2(9+3)

#1 the () is the priority..
#2 next would be the other equation (48/2)..
#3 the () is multiplied times the answer of #2
#4 288

[meyer]

#2 next would be the other equation (48/2)..

Nope - 2(9+3) has priority due to parenthesis. The distributive property of multiplication tells us that 2(9+3) = (2*9)+(2*3) = 18+6 = 24 = 2(9+3) = 2*12. To say otherwise is to violate this basic algebra principle.

[RikaStrom]

48÷2(9+3)

#1 the () is the priority..
#2 next would be the other equation (48/2)..
#3 the () is multiplied times the answer of #2
#4 288

Now, see the way I was taught, back in the day was

48÷2(9+3)

#1 the () is the priority..9+3=12
#2 is the implied * between 2 and (9+3) 2 = 2*12 = 24
I was taught that if there was any number next to a paran - it was implied that you would multiply that number by whatever result came from the paran equation.
#3 is the remaining divider 48/24 = 2

The answer is 2

I love FR, only here would we get into this discussion. :-)

[aruanan]

48÷2(9+3)

#1 the () is the priority..
#2 next would be the other equation (48/2)..
#3 the () is multiplied times the answer of #2
#4 288


To begin with, 48÷2(9+3) is not an equation and 48/2 is not "the other equation."

Second, 2 would be the divisor of the dividend 48 only in this case: (48÷2)(9+2).

Third, as written, 2 is the first of two multiplicands; the sum of 9 and 3, or 12 is the second. The operation between multiplicands, like terms, must be completed first.

Fourth, the dividend 48 divided by the product (24) of two multiplicands (2 and 12) yields a quotient of 2.