Wonderful, however this problem is: /2(9+3) = *1/2(9+3) = 4.5 +1.5 = 6. The division sign causes the factor to be "1/2", the multiplicative inverse of the value operated on, not "2"-as if there was only a simple multiplication sign. Note that the concept of multiplicative inverse allows for the commutative property to hold. Then 0.5*12*48 = 48*12*0.5 = 12*0.5*48 = 48*0.5*12 = 288.
Hmmmnnnn... You've got me thinking. But, the question comes as to whether we view "2(9+3)" as a single expression in the equation, or not. How would you solve 48/2(a+b)? Do you see 24/(a+b) or do you see 48/(2a+2b)? It's kind of whacky using the "/" sign instead of writing it out the way math should be written. :-)