Because, Bill, if it didn't specify "total" somebody would put in two per side, claiming that the rule didn't specify it clearly.

I wouldn't argue if there wasn't a comma or a parenthesis in there though.....
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I agree that the word 'total' needs to be there. But I would have put it in a slightly different place, like 'a total of two openings.....' This is one of the reasons I hated English in elementary and high school!