Notes for Lesson 1-2: Order of Operations and Evaluating Expressions

1. Simplifying Powers

Vocabulary:
Power – An expression written as a power and a base or the value of that
Expression
Exponent – The number that indicates how many times the base is used as a
factor
Base – The number is used as a factor
Simplify – To replace an expression with its simplest name or form

Exponent

2
3
Base

1. Evaluating powers

You must pay close attention to what the exponent is sitting on to determine if the base is positive or
negative.

Example: Simplify each expression

 2    2   2   2   8 52  1 5   5   25

3

62  1 6   6   36  5   5   5   5   125

3

2
 2   2  2  4
      
 3   3  3  9

2. Simplifying Numerical Expressions

When a numeric or algebraic expression contains more than one operation, the order of operations tell
you which operation to perform first.

The order of operations is:

a) Perform all operation inside grouping symbols
b) Simplify powers
c) Perform multiplication and division from left to right
d) Perform addition and subtraction from left to right
Examples: Simplify each expression

24−1
( 6−2 )3 ÷ 2 52+82−3(4−2)3 3 [ 42−2 ( 102−92 ) ]
5
16−1
4 3 ÷2 52+82−3(2)3 3 [ 42−2 ( 100−81 ) ]
5
15
64 ÷ 2 52+64−3(8) 3 [ 42−2 ( 19 ) ]
5
32 3 52+64−24 3 [ 42−38 ]
92 3[4]
12

Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

To evaluate algebraic expressions you must begin by substituting values in for the variables. Then you
have a numerical express like we just did.

Examples: Evaluate each expression for the given values

x 2+ x−12÷ y 2 for x=5∧ y=2 3 s t 2 ÷ ( st ) +6 for s=4∧t=8

52 +5−12÷ 22 3 ∙ 4 ∙ 82 ÷ ( 4 ∙ 8 ) +6
25+5−12÷ 4 3 ∙ 4 ∙ 82 ÷ 32+6
25+5−3 3 ∙ 4 ∙ 64 ÷ 32+ 6
27 768 ÷ 32+ 6
24+ 6
30

Practice:

a) ( 33 −4 ) +52 b) (3 c 2−3 d )2−21 for c=3∧d=5