• Ah sorry just realized what you were saying. I’ve never been taught that. Maybe it’s just a difference in teaching styles, but it shouldn’t be since it can actually change the outcome. The way I was always taught was if you see a number butted up against an expression in parentheses you assume there is a multiplication symbol there.

    So you were taught that 2(2+2) == (2(2+2))
    I was taught 2(2+2)==2*(2+2)

    Interesting difference though because again, assuming invisible parentheses can really change up how a problem is done.

    Edit: looks like theshatterstone54’s comment assumed a multiplication symbol as well.