The question is: Which method do you prefer ?
First of all, nobody can answer that for you, because it's your opinion and you haven't told us your opinion.
But look at it ! the first method eliminates parentheses right away, and each step is an application of a clear, simple arithmetic rule. The second method has fractions and parentheses all over the place, and it looks so complicated that even the person who posted the first answer here doesn't completely recognize what's going on.
I know which method I would prefer. But like it says, the correct answer is a matter of opinion, and my opinion might not be the same as yours.
