If a=23 and b=79 what is a squared plus b squared multiplied by 73?

This problem can be interpreted two ways:

      a²  +  b² * 73                                 or                             ( a²  +  b² ) * 73

 

The "order of operations" rule would require us to evaluate it according to the way that is above left;

however, in common speaking, the way in the above right is usually meant.