Evaluate the Java expression: x = a * b % (++c) + (++a) + (--b); if a = 7, b = 8, c = 2

x = 17

Evaluate strictly left to right, applying each prefix operator the moment it is reached, and remember that a prefix operator changes the variable BEFORE its value is used.

Start: a = 7, b = 8, c = 2

1. a * b = 7 * 8 = 56
2. (++c) makes c = 3, and 3 is used. So 56 % 3 = 2 (56 = 18 x 3 + 2)
3. (++a) makes a = 8, and 8 is used
4. (--b) makes b = 7, and 7 is used
5. x = 2 + 8 + 7 = 17

Final values: x = 17, a = 8, b = 7, c = 3. The two traps are forgetting that * and % outrank +, and using the old value of a or b after the prefix operator has already changed it.