Quote Originally Posted by renzo_d10 View Post
Isn't the 2(9+3) part of the denominator ?

48/2(9+3)
48/24
= 2 ?
To clarify, the equation 48÷2(9+3) or 48/2(9+3) can be described as an ambiguous expression because it is not clear what is the intent of the writer of the equation. the 2(9+3) COULD be the denominator, if there was a caveat statement provided. However, there is none, so we cannot simply imply that it is to be treated as such.

However, the ambiguity can be settled by following the PEDMAS/BIDMAS/BOMDAS/etc rule which clearly stipulates the order by which the operations should be performed.

That is why the Wolfram Alpha site treats the expression as a straightforward operation: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%2F2%289%2B3%29

That link shows how Wolfram Alpha, a very highly respected scientific resource, interprets the expression.

That is also why Google interprets the expression as a straightforward operation: http://www.google.com.ph/#hl=en&sour...71ec102408a304