>>>>

>>>>-24/4(-2)
>>>>

>>>>Is it:
>>>>

>>>>-6(-2) = 12
>>>>

>>>>Or is it:
>>>>

>>>>-24/-8 = 3
>>>>

>>>
>>>See Agnes' reply :o)
>>
>>This is what gets me. I've gotten different answer from technical people who are good at math. How am I supposed to help an 11-year old understand the rules? After reading all the replies, I still don't know if the answer is 12 or 3.
>
>It's 12. I am surprised everyone didn't know this.

You wrong. left-to-right rule correct for just computer programming languages. There is should be an extra paranthesis.