you always do the work in the parentheses first.
Order of operations:
The operations inside parentheses () and brackets [] are done first.
Then any operations involving exponents (which you will learn about later).
Then do all multiplying and dividing from left to right.
Finally, do all addition and subtraction from left to right.
Pre-Algebra: Basic Equations - Math for Morons Like Us
48 /2 (9+3)
48/ 2x12
24x12
288