Evaluating Algebraic

Expressions

R. Portteus
Evaluating Expressions

To evaluate an algebraic
expression means to replace a
variable by a particular value
and to simplify the expression
 How do you describe an
algebraic expression?
Variable Meaning Operation
Expression
5x, 5·x, (5)(x) 5 times x Multiplication
(same as x·5)
5 5 divided by Division
,5  x
x x
5 + x (same as x + 5 plus x Addition
5)
5–x 5 minus x subtraction
 Evaluate a Variable
Expression
• Example 1: Evaluate each expression
when n = 4. Simplify (means to solve the problem or perform as
many of the indicated operations as possible.)
a. n + 3
Solution:
4+3 Substitute 4 for n. Simplify
=7
b. n – 3
Solution: 4–3 Substitute 4 for n. Simplify
=1
 Evaluate an Algebraic
Expression
• Example 2: Evaluate each expression if x =
8.
a. 5x Substitute 8 for x. Simplify
Solution: 5 (8) Using parenthesis is the preferred method to show
multiplication. Additional ways to show multiplication are

= 40 5 · 8 and 5 x 8.

b. x ÷ 4 Substitute 8 for x. Simplify

Solution: 8÷ 4 x 8

= 2 Recall that division problems are also
fractions – this problem could be
4 4
 2;
written as:
because
x
x4 
4
 Evaluating More
Expressions
• Example 3: Evaluate each expression if
x = 4, y = 6, and z = 24.
a. 5xy Substitute 4 for x; 6 for y. simplify
Solution:
5xy = 5(4)(6)
= 120
b. z Substitute 24 for z; 6 for y. Simplify.
y
z 24
Solution:

y 6
=4
 Evaluating More
Expressions
• Example 3: Evaluate each expression if
x = 4, y = 6, and z = 24.
a. 5xy Substitute 4 for x; 6 for y. simplify
Solution:
5xy = 5(4)(6)
= 120
b. z Substitute 24 for z; 6 for y. Simplify.
y
z 24
Solution:

y 6
=4
 Now You Try…
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
1. 4ac A

2. a÷c A

3. a+b+c A

4. ba A

5. b–c A
6. c÷b A
 You Try #1
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
1. 4ac Substitute the value for a = 6 and c = 3
into the problem and multiply

4ac = 4(6)(3)
= (24)(3)
= 72
Click to return to
“You try it” slide
 You Try #2
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
2. a ÷ c Substitute the value for a = 6 and c = 3
into the problem and divide

a÷c=6÷3
=2

Click to return to
“You try it” slide
 You Try #3
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
3. a + b + c Substitute the value for a = 6, b=12,
and c = 3 into the problem, then add.

a + b + c = 6 + 12 + 3
= 18 + 3
= 21
Click to return to
“You try it” slide
 You Try #4
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
4. ba Substitute the value for b=12 and a = 6
into the problem, then multiply.

ba = (12)(6)
= 72

Click to return to
“You try it” slide
 You Try #5
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
5. b - c Substitute the value for b=12 and a = 3
into the problem, then subtract.

b – c = 12 – 3
=9

Click to return to
“You try it” slide
 You Try #6
Evaluate each expression given that a =
6, b = 12, and c = 3.
6. c ÷ b Substitute the value for c=3 and b = 12 into
the problem, then Divide
c 3 Note: It is better to rewrite this division
Divide both
numerator and c b   problem as a fraction.
denominator by b 12 This fraction can now be reduced to its
3 3 1
the GCF = (3) to simplest form.


reduce this
fraction.
12  3 4 as an answer.
It is OK to have a fraction

Click to return to
“You try it” slide