[RedWhiteBlue]

I think the major disconnect here is between those who see a “/” sign and just assume that everything after it is in the denominator of the division expression.

And those who see “/” as a mathematical operation between expressions on either side of it.

The former force implied parentheses into their evaluation.

The latter do not.

I think both sides are forcing an implied parentheses into their evaluation.

The 288 crowd are implying a parenthesis like this:

(48/2)(9+3)

The 2 crowd are implying a parenthesis like this:

48 / [2(9=3)]

The mathematical expression is written ambiguously.

[SoothingDave]

No, if you follow the rules of the order of operations, as stated all over the internet and without the “juxtaposition” theory, there is no ambiguity. Try it.

Do what is in the parentheses. 48/2(12)
Resolve left to right, since mult and div have same priority

24(12)

288

I don’t need to add any implied parentheses, just follow the rules.