SyntaxError: Missing parentheses in call to 'print'

[volcano63]

On the other hand python3 uses input, while python2 equivalent is raw_input, so I'm not 100% your book is for python2. If it is python2 book and teaches you to use input in python2, it's a poor textbook, definitely don't use it.

In Python2, input exists too - but it evaluates the entered expression, that's what would have allowed OP to multiply without conversion.

Python2 input would return number - if number is entered - due to expression evaluation. Unfortunately, it would allow to execute a valid Python command, if entered - the reason why it (input) is considered dangerous, and its usage discouraged.

raw_input in Python2 returns string

So the book is definitely Python2 - and also correct, though uses discouraged practice.