Python does not follow the same rules as written math. You must explicitly indicate multiplication.
Bad:
(a)(b)
(unless a is a function)
Good:
(a) * (b)
This error also occurs when your function has the same name as your return value
def samename(a, b):
samename = a*b
return samename
This might be a super rookie mistake, I am curious how often this answer will be helpful.