# this gives $result as 1, not 33.  Makes sense, 
# since $val == 4 evaluates to 1.  But, I want $result to 
# be assigned 33, based on the fact that $val == 4. 
$result = ($major_length == 4800) ? 18 
        : ($major_length ==  8552) 
            ? ($val == 4) : 33;