[gwilhelm56]

2

48/2(9+3)=x
48/2*12=x
48/24=x
2=x

damn that math teacher that said “SHOW ALL YOUR WORK”

[gwilhelm56]

If the equation was

(48/2)(9+3)=x
24*12=x
288=x

[MortMan]

What caused you to multiply before dividing? Multiplication and division (technically) have the same precedence, to my memory.

[Sacajaweau]

My crazy college prof said to write down an approximate answer by looking at the problem....Then solve it.

He was a great teacher. No calculator...he did allow slide rules...and this was about 1980.

[GingisK]

Division and multplication are handled from left to right unless a parenthetical expression is used.

You should have the following:

48/2(9+3)=x
48/2*12=x
24*12=x [Left to right]
x=288

[exit82]

48/2(9+3)=x
48/2*12=x
48/24=x
2=x

I solved it the same way you did.

The question is 48 divided by what?

“What” is 2 times (the sum of 9 plus 3) or 2 x 12, which is 24. Distributive yields the same answer: 18 plus 6 equals 24.

Otherwise you have mass confusion, as witnessed by this very thread.

[WVNan]

You see? That is why math is never the answer to anything. There is nothing stable about it, nor does it ever make any sense. I say do away with math forever. There is no
need for it in a sane world. That is my position since first grade and I have not changed my mind in 71 years, nor will I ever.