Evaluating Expressions

and Combining Like

Terms

R. Portteus
 Evaluating Expressions
• Vocabulary:
– Variable – A symbol, usually a letter of the
alphabet, such as the letter n, that is used to
represent a number.
– Variable expression (A.K.A. - Algebraic
Expression) – An expression, such as n – 5, that
consists of one or more numbers and variables
along with one or more arithmetic operations.
(Note: No equal sign)
– Evaluate a Variable Expression – write the
expression, substitute a number for each
variable, and simplify the result.
 How do you describe a
variable 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:
n + 3 = 4 + 3 Substitute 4 for n. Simplify
=7
b. n – 3
Solution: n – 3 = 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: 5x = 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: x÷4=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
 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
 Combining Like Terms
• Now that we have seen some algebraic
expressions, we need to know how to
simplify them.
• Vocabulary
– Like terms: In an expression, like terms are the
terms that have the same variables, raised to
the same powers (same exponents).
• i.e. 4x and -3x or 2y2 and –y2
– Coefficient: A constant that multiplies a
variable.
• i.e. the 3 in 3a or the -1 in –b
 Combining Like Terms
• In algebra we often get very long
expressions, which we need to make
simpler. Simpler expressions are
easier to solve!
• To simplify an expression we collect
like terms. Like terms include letters
that are the same and numbers.
 Let’s try one…
• Step One: Write the expression.
4x + 5x -2 - 2x + 7
• Collect all the terms together which are alike. Remember
that each term comes with an operation (+,-) which goes
before it.
4x, 5x, and -2x
-2 and 7
• Simplify the variable terms.
4x+5x-2x = 9x-2x = 7x
• Simplify the constant (number) terms.
-2+7 = 5
• You have a simplified expression by writing all of the results
from simplifying.
7x + 5
 Another example…
• 10x – 4y + 3x2 + 2x – 2y
3x2
Remember you cannot
10x, 2x combine terms with
the same variable but
-4y – 2y different exponents.

• 3x2 + 12x – 6y
 Now you try…
Simplify the following:
• 5x + 3y - 6x + 4y + 3z A

• 3b - 3a - 5c + 4b A

• 4ab – 2a2b + 5 – ab + ab2 + 2a2b + 4 A

• 5xy – 2yx + 7y + 3x – 4xy + 2x A

 You Try #1
• Simplify the following:
1. 5x + 3y - 6x + 4y + 3z
5x, -6x
3y, 4y
3z
-x + 7y + 3z
 You Try #2
• Simplify the following:
2. 3b - 3a - 5c + 4b
3b, 4b
-3a
-5c
-3a + 7b – 5c
 You Try #3
• Simplify the following:
3. 4ab – 2a2b + 5 – ab + ab2 + 2a2b + 4
4ab, -ab
-2a2b, 2a2b
5, 4
ab2
3ab + ab2 + 9
 You Try #4
• Simplify the following:
4. 5xy – 2yx + 7y + 3x – 4xy + 2x
5xy, -2yx, -4xy
7y
3x, 2x
-xy + 7y + 5x
 Conclusion
• A variable or algebraic expression is an
expression that consists of one or more
________
numbers and _________
variables along with one
or more ________
arithmetic _________.
operations (Note: No
_______
equal sign)
• To evaluate an expression write the
_________,
expression substitute a _______
number for
each variable, and _________
simplify the result.
 Conclusion Continued…
• In an expression, __________
like terms are
the terms that have the same
________,
variables raised to the same
________
power (same exponents).
• A coefficient is a number that
________
multiplies a variable.
 “Your Turn”
1. 2x – 3x + 6x = 35
2. 4r – 8r – 2r = 36
3. -5s – 2s – s = -16
4. -2y + 6y – 3y = 34
5. 13a – 6a – 7a – 2a = 10