title: in Python 2.7, why do I have to enclose an `int` in brackets when I want to call a method on it?
body: <p>in Python 2.7, why do I have to enclose an <code>int</code> in brackets when I want to call a method on it?</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt;&gt; 5.bit_length()
  SyntaxError: invalid syntax
  &gt;&gt;&gt; (5).bit_length()
  3
  </code></pre>