Essentially the problem is 48/[2(9+3)]. You cannot split up the demoninator...solve the entire denominator before dividing. It's alot easier to see written as a fraction numerator on top of a demoninator instead of the "/" symbol.
To get 288 as the correct answer, the problem would have to be written (48/2)*(9+3). Otherwise you cannot divide before solving your denominator. |