Missing multiplication symbol

From Why start at x, y, z


It's common to omit a multiplication symbol:

\(ab = a \times b\)

But sometimes it's not as clear:

Does \( a(b+1) = a \times (b+1)\), or is \(a\) a function?

When writing a division on one line, does an implied multiplication bind more tightly than an explicit one?[1]

Does \(a/bc = a/(bc)\) or \((a/b)c\)?

References