On occasion, I am puzzled by why certain combinations are not accepted as a solution to an exponentiation cell. Today's extra is a case in point.

There is a three cell with the value 32768. This equals 2^15 = 8^5 and 158 is accepted as a possible solution.

But (2^3)^5 is also a possible solution, but this is not accepted. I know the explanation given is that exponentiation is left to right, but how exactly does this work? I tried all six possible permutations of 235 in case this affected how the exponentiation works, but none were accepted.

I'd be very grateful if someone could explain this to me.

Actually, I've just read the explanation again and it says evaluation is right to left. I really need to read these things more carefully!

It's right to left.

(also says this below the puzzle)

edit: I see we posted at the same time

I'm glad I got my post in before yours! I still look like an idiot, but not totally beyond redemption!