Parsing algebraic expressions is always a pain. If you need to compute, say, 2+4*2, the answer should be the same as (2 + (4 *2)), not ( (2 + 4) * 2) — in other words, the right answer is 10 ...

Revise how to simplify algebra using skills of expanding brackets and factorising expressions with this BBC Bitesize GCSE Maths Eduqas guide.