OK, from someone who is one with computers, the answer would seem to be 288 because that's the way computers calculate. From someone who is more on the math side of things, the lack of * next to parenthesis always notes that it belongs to the parenthsied term.... since its a math equation and not a computer problem, that's why its 2. again, its ok that you suck at life if you get 288.... we're still friends. I will just think less of your intelligence.