[SoothingDave]

It would make more sense if it looked like this:

If it looked like that, the answer would be 2. But if you want to write that in a single line (as a programming expression), you need to add parentheses to your denominator. Without them, the rules of order yield 288.

So, as written, the answer is 288.

[meyer]

...But if you want to write that in a single line,...

I'm not sure that want is the right word here - perhaps need is more appropriate for some of us anyway. It would be awefully nice to be able to easily write equations the old fashioned way. Not that I would do so, since I really don't have that need any more, but it would simplify the process for the less programming-oriented among us.

Side issue, I do find it interesting how we "see" the equation differently from one another. Perhaps previous experience plays a significant role here.

[Melas]

No, you have to add parenthesis because computers are stupid. Mathmatically:

48÷2(9+3)

and

48

___

2(9+3)

Are the exact same same thing. There is nothing magical about the "÷" symbol that changes the answer from the same equation expressed vertically. The vertical expression is just easier to read, hence the erroneous 288's here.