Is 12/4+6 the same as 12 in the numerator and 4+2 as the denominator?

Question

Long debate about order of operations last night. When i see 12/4+2 i instantly go to 12 with the horizontal line and in parentheses (4+2). Am i doing something wrong here?

Answer 1

12/4+2=3+2=5

12/(4+2)=12/6=2

If there are no parentheses you cannot add 4 and 2; you must divide 4 into 12 and then add the 2.

If you want 4 and 2 to be added then you must put 4+2 in parentheses: (4+2).