If you write it on paper -
4.8 x 105(1.12n - 1)/0.12 is
4.8 x 105(1.12n - 1)
-----------------------------------------
0.12
Which is basically -
(4.8 x 105)*(1.12n - 1)
-----------------------------------------
0.12
Since the 1.12n causes abit of trouble, we have a definite value for (4.8 x 105), hence dividing it by 0.12 will give a simpler answer.
You can't multiply it by 0.12 because that completely changes the equation. You can however, multiply it by 0.12/0.12 (as this = 1) but that'd still yield you the original expression.