1. a) Lance did not stipulate which mathematical laws that will be used for the expression. It could follow computer logical solving from left to right, it could use PEDMAS or BODMAS. Hence solving it in different ways will generate different answers. Likewise, not adding a bracket within the equation varies the results from the multiplication; it could be -2 x (4+1+3) or (-2 x4)+1+3.
b) Using BODMAS which is more commonly used for these kind of expressions, we can have:
It’s personification of the shadows. It’s applying human, or person like characteristics to the shadows. The sentence is implying that the shadows are moving quickly or in a dancing manner.