Answer: 96
When a number is next to a group of numbers inside parentheses, it means multiplication.
Example: 3(3) = 3 x 3 = 9
In this case, 12 is being multiplied by the sum of 5 + 3. Solve the numbers inside the parentheses first and then multiply it with the number next to the parentheses.
12(5 + 3) = 12(8) = 96