How do you answer Gemdas?

Aline that intersects one of two parallel lines intersects the other also always sometimes never

Three numbers x, y, and z are in the ratio 2: 7: 8. if 12 is subtracted from y, then three numbers form a geometric sequence (in the order x, y–12, z). find x, y, and z. there are 2 sets.

The key on a road map has a scale factor of 1.5 inches = 50 miles. the distance between santa fe and albuquerque measures 7.5 inches. the distance between santa fe and taos is 0.75 inches. what is the actual distance between the cities?