Task: Table-QA (source dataset: FinQA)

Task: 
You are given a table containing structured data and a natural language question referring to the table. Your goal is to analyze the table and provide an accurate and concise answer based on the given data.

Instructions:
1. Understand the Table: Examine the structure, headers, and data in the table. Identify relevant columns and rows related to the question.
2. Interpret the Question: Determine whether the question requires direct retrieval, aggregation, comparison, sorting, filtering, or inference.
3. Extract the Answer: Use logical reasoning and numerical operations (if necessary) to derive the correct response from the table.
4. Format the Answer: No explanation, return the answer in a structured JSON format: {"answer": <answer>}. If the question cannot be answered due to missing or ambiguous data, return a JSON response with {"answer": null}.

Table:
| Unnamed: 0                | shares       | weighted average grant-date fair value   |
|:--------------------------|:-------------|:-----------------------------------------|
| non-vested at may 31 2008 | 518          | $ 39                                     |
| granted                   | 430          | 43                                       |
| vested                    | -159 ( 159 ) | 39                                       |
| forfeited                 | -27 ( 27 )   | 41                                       |
| non-vested at may 31 2009 | 762          | 42                                       |
| granted                   | 420          | 42                                       |
| vested                    | -302 ( 302 ) | 41                                       |
| forfeited                 | -167 ( 167 ) | 43                                       |
| non-vested at may 31 2010 | 713          | 42                                       |

Question:
what was the total compensation expense for restricted stock recognized from 2008 to 2010


pre_text: notes to consolidated financial statements 2014 ( continued ) the risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a zero coupon united states treasury security with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option from the date of the grant .
our assumption on expected volatility is based on our historical volatility .
the dividend yield assumption is calculated using our average stock price over the preceding year and the annualized amount of our current quarterly dividend .
we based our assumptions on the expected lives of the options on our analysis of the historical exercise patterns of the options and our assumption on the future exercise pattern of options .
restricted stock shares awarded under the restricted stock program , issued under the 2000 plan and 2005 plan , are held in escrow and released to the grantee upon the grantee 2019s satisfaction of conditions of the grantee 2019s restricted stock agreement .
the grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the quoted fair market value of our common stock at the award date .
compensation expense is recognized ratably during the escrow period of the award .
grants of restricted shares are subject to forfeiture if a grantee , among other conditions , leaves our employment prior to expiration of the restricted period .
grants of restricted shares generally vest one year after the date of grant with respect to 25% ( 25 % ) of the shares granted , an additional 25% ( 25 % ) after two years , an additional 25% ( 25 % ) after three years , and the remaining 25% ( 25 % ) after four years .
the following table summarizes the changes in non-vested restricted stock awards for the years ended may 31 , 2010 and 2009 ( share awards in thousands ) : shares weighted average grant-date fair value .
post_text: the weighted average grant-date fair value of share awards granted in the year ended may 31 , 2008 was $ 38 .
the total fair value of share awards vested during the years ended may 31 , 2010 , 2009 and 2008 was $ 12.4 million , $ 6.2 million and $ 4.1 million , respectively .
we recognized compensation expense for restricted stock of $ 12.1 million , $ 9.0 million , and $ 5.7 million in the years ended may 31 , 2010 , 2009 and 2008 .
as of may 31 , 2010 , there was $ 21.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years .
employee stock purchase plan we have an employee stock purchase plan under which the sale of 2.4 million shares of our common stock has been authorized .
employees may designate up to the lesser of $ 25000 or 20% ( 20 % ) of their annual compensation for the purchase of stock .
the price for shares purchased under the plan is 85% ( 85 % ) of the market value on the last day of the quarterly purchase period .
as of may 31 , 2010 , 0.9 million shares had been issued under this plan , with 1.5 million shares reserved for future issuance. .
label: 26.8
qa: answer: 26.8
ann_text_rows: 12
steps: op: add2-1
arg1: 12.1
arg2: 9.0
res: 21.1
op: add2-2
arg1: #0
arg2: 5.7
res: 26.8
program: add(12.1, 9.0), add(#0, 5.7)
gold_inds: text_12: we recognized compensation expense for restricted stock of $ 12.1 million , $ 9.0 million , and $ 5.7 million in the years ended may 31 , 2010 , 2009 and 2008 .
exe_ans: 26.8
tfidftopn: text_13: as of may 31 , 2010 , there was $ 21.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years .
text_6: compensation expense is recognized ratably during the escrow period of the award .
program_re: add(add(12.1, 9.0), 5.7)
model_input: text_9
the following table summarizes the changes in non-vested restricted stock awards for the years ended may 31 , 2010 and 2009 ( share awards in thousands ) : shares weighted average grant-date fair value .
text_12
we recognized compensation expense for restricted stock of $ 12.1 million , $ 9.0 million , and $ 5.7 million in the years ended may 31 , 2010 , 2009 and 2008 .
text_13
as of may 31 , 2010 , there was $ 21.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years .