[GingisK]

I started out earlier in the thread siding with the 288 answer because of the left-to-right parsing rule. Then I let myself get talked into the other idea.

I went back to the ancient algebra book; and, it didn't say a peep about this. All of the examples show a left-to-right parse given equal precedence. The rules regarding commutivity and associativity really do point to the answer being 288.

[Bikkuri]

And “how old are you”... wait... hmm.. How old are those rules?

Thank you!!! And anyone asking about age (maturity) is about the same as asking race (race-bate)..

I feel so much better with the original rules backing me :)

BUT, I give up on explaining them... some just don’t listen (maybe age IS a factor)... but being that this appears to be a more sociable crowd than say, Religion or ‘Civil’ war threads... I spent my time having a conversation :)

Take care and stay safe :)

Bikk