48/2(9+3) is the same as writing 48/2*(9+3)
You do what's in parentheses first so you have
48/2*12
You multiply 2*12 first because you're dividing 48 by 2*12. If this was written on paper, imagine the 2*12 being written under the 48, you don't divide it until it's actually solved. You get 24.
48/24 = 2.
2 should be the answer.
I can see why it could also be 288...
When you get to 48/2*12 = x...
48/2 = x/12
24 = x/12
x = 288
It just depends on how you handle 2*12. I think we were always taught to multiply that out first and THEN divide, I could be wrong though. Actually, I'm starting to like the 288 answer.
fukin hell i actually took a pretty hard level of math at the end of high school, it was pretty much college level. GOD DAMNIT.
edit-actually the bit with 2(9+3) is just confusing. i suppose if we were to take it all literally then it's 288.