I don’t know what you are trying to do, but you are begging the question.
But, it’s simple math. No need to make it into an expression with variables.
If you are trying to back-calculate, it’s to no purpose. If you calculate it the way the 288ers do, you’ll get 288. If you calculate it the way the 2ers do, you get 2.
Proves nothing.
How do you test equations that are ambiguous?
I can't help but wonder how many of the 2ers are also little endian advocates and if the 288ers are on the big endian side.
Of course, we must also consider that although three's company, two's complement.
...now running quickly away and ducking for cover!