as multiplication can be expressed in various ways as with an x, a dot, brackets or nothing at all, I see the above as a single factor that could alternately be expressed as 12 / 2x(3)(2) Or (2)(3)(2) or 12/12 The extra x throws you off. Why would one assume it remains in the nominator less the equation have proper additional bracketing? (12/(2(6-7+4))*2 now = 4 12/(2(6-7+4)*2) now = 1 (12/2) * (3)*(2)= 36? yuk no engineering here, just cause most people say so, doesn't mean squat .