And please do not send me an e-mail either asking for or else proffering a definitive verdict on this issue. As far as I know, there is no such final verdict. And telling me to do this your way will not solve the issue!
Once again, it appears that you are correct.
Unless we can prove that juxtaposition to parentheses does or does not take priority over "regular" division or multiplication by rule, you're right, there is no correct answer.
If "2(12)" does not take priority and is merely another way of writing "2â¢12," then the answer is 288.
If "2(12)" does take priority over "48â¢2," then the answer is 8.
Now I'm dying to know what math professors have to say. For those of you that have professors to ask and get a reply that states juxtaposition to parentheses take priority, please ask for a reference. If they just say, "that's what I was taught," we've done nothing to move closer to a resolution.
bruce negro, you're doing too much reaching and assuming (on top of just being plain incorrect about "÷" being used as a symbol for fraction) to reach your conclusion in the second part of what you keep re-posting.
Where am I reaching? I gave solid proof. You're the one who is trying to be entirely too philosophical about that. Talk to a math teacher and you will hear the same thing. It would actually be quicker for you to talk to a math professor or something, since you really don't want to believe me. Edit: rereading that second part of what I keep reposting, I also said that there would need to be parentheses around the 48 and the 2 in order for the answer to be equal to 288. I don't see how I'm reaching and assuming at all.
Also, it is very true that technically there is no answer because juxtaposition isn't an official rule. However, like I said, the math community views it as such. So if you want to think that juxtaposition isn't right, and then get your answers wrong in your respective math classes, then go ahead.