THREE WAYS to solve this question: 1st WAY: just forget about the PEMDAS or BODMAS rules, lets come back to the origin of mathematics which is solving human's problem: assumption: Have 6 apples, with 2 classes where combination of 2 boys & 1 girl. So, each of them get how many apple(s)?! thus, 2 classes , 2 boys & 1 gals = 3 students + 3 Students = total 6 students Now, only have 6 apples 6 apples for 6 students. Therefore, 1 student only have 1 apple = 1 (answer) 2nd Way: 6÷2(1+2) lets assume y =2 so that , 6÷y(1+y) = 6 ÷ (y+y^2) now replace 2 into y it shows 6 ÷ ( 2 + 2^2) = 6 ÷ (2 + 4) = 6 ÷ 6 = 1 (answer) 3rd way: 6÷2(1+2) lets assume (1+2) = a so that, 6÷2a now = 6/(2a) 2a is slightly different with 2 x a ; please dun tell me that is (6/2)x a !! lets simplify = 3/a now replace (1+2) into a = 3 (1+3) = 3/3 = 1 (answer) if you not agree again! fine lets go for the 4th way 4rth Way 6÷2(1+2) from this equation , we would say it has two group , A = 6 ; B = 2(1+2) lets 6÷2(1+2) = z so that, A/B = z A = zB 6 = z[2(1+ 2)] 6 = 6z z = 6/6 = 1 (answer)