If there is a variable within the parenthesis, you would square it, yes. But you're operating on incorrect assumptions.

When you do an operation twice, it is not accurate to say that you "do the operation, squared." If V* = V+2, (V*)* would not equal (V+2)^2. You simply do the operation twice.

As you correctly reasoned, what V* really means to to get (2/3)*V, or in other words, multiply V by (2/3). You do this twice, resulting in V * (2/3) * (2/3) = 8, which you did obtain (via shady methods), and thus the answer is indeed V = 18.

but what I dont understand is if v* means v(2/3) and your doing it twice, how come its not v(2/3) x v(2/3) which would be v^2(4/9) again?

Because the second * operation is not on V. It's on V*, which is (2/3*V).

If 2v means 2*v (and, uh, it does), what is 2(2v)? This is the exact same thing. You do not introduce a new variable. You merely take the necessary actions on what is inside the parenthesis.

@kapitalist

V** = V^2* or (V*)^2

This is just an Operation denoted by *, which happens to be in eponential power in this case.

Take a look into this:

7% 5 =35

Here the % is an operator.

So in this case its not doing its usual function,rather it is multiplying 7 and 5

So if a question ask you like this:

4% 100=?

You are no going to say its 4 percent of 100
Rather your answer will have to be 400.

Hope this makes sense now.

V* = V - (V/3)

If (V*)* = 8, then V = ?

Here V*= V-(V/3)

so When (V*)* = [V-(V/3)]*

==> now V-(v)/3 assumes the value of V

==> [V-(V/3)]*= [(V-V/3)-V/3]

==> V-(2/3V)
==> V/3

and this value is given to be 8

This V/3 =8
So, v=24

@Feep

Please check your answer

so When (V*)* = [V-(V/3)]*

==> now V-(v)/3 assumes the value of V

==> [V-(V/3)]*= [(V-V/3)-V/3]

wrong...

if V-(V/3) assumes the value of V as you say (it would be easier to simplifly to 2V/3 in advance by the way) then:

[V-(V/3)]* = [(V-(V/3)) - (V-(V/3))/3] = 2V/3 - 2V/9 = 4V/9

and hence V = 18

so feep is right

Thanks avenus for the rectification,
this is the problem with me.I always end up committing a calculation mistake