27:3(11-8)=9

Short answer: the expression 27:3(11-8) is ambiguous because ":" can mean division and juxtaposition means multiplication.

Compute (11-8) = 3, so the expression becomes one of the following depending on grouping:

• If read as 27 ÷ 3 × (11-8): 27 ÷ 3 × 3 = 9 × 3 = 27
• If read as 27 ÷ [3 × (11-8)]: 27 ÷ [3 × 3] = 27 ÷ 9 = 3
• If read as (27 ÷ 3) × (11-8): (27 ÷ 3) × 3 = 9 × 3 = 27

So the result could be 3 or 27, not 9. The value 9 would come from an inconsistent or incomplete step.

Advice: rewrite unambiguously, e.g.

• 27 ÷ [3 × (11-8)] = 3
• (27 ÷ 3) × (11-8) = 27
• or 27 ÷ 3 × (11-8) if your convention is left-to-right, which gives 27

Would you like me to check this with a specific convention (your course or calculator) or rewrite it clearly?