The equation: 18 ÷ 3 ( 5 - 4 + 1 ) = 3 or 12? (order of operation)

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the question might be simple to solve but when entered in google search as:

18/3(5-4+1)

you get 12! However, If it was done using the order of operation it is solved this way:

18 ÷ 3 ( 5 - 4 + 1 ) 
18 ÷ 3 ( 2 ) 
18 ÷ 6
= 3

What is the answer? and how can I explain that the other side is wrong? I read about the order of operation but no priority is given in terms of what comes first multiplication or division. So, how is this solved?

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The problem you face here is due to the way the equation is displayed, we have

$$ 18/3(5-4+1) $$ which usually means $$ \frac{18}{3}\cdot (5-4+1)=12. $$

The expression you evaluate is $$ \frac{18}{3\cdot(5-4+1)} $$ would be written as $$ 18/(3(5-4+1))=3. $$

Hope this helps.