Lesson 4

Substitution

The value of an expression can be calculated if a value has been given to the unknown(s).

Remember to use the BIDMAS principles when determining the value of an expression.

Examples - Calculate the value of the following expressions:

1) 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 when 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑦 = −2. 2) 3𝑥 2 + 4 when 𝑥 = 10.

2𝑥 + 4𝑦 3𝑥 2 + 4

= 2 (5) + 4 (−2) = 3 (102 ) + 4

= 10 − 8 = 3 (100) + 4

=2 = 300 + 4

= 304

𝑥
3) 10
− 7 when 𝑥 = 120. 4) 3𝑥 3 when 𝑥 = −2.
𝑥
−7 3𝑥 3
10
120
= −7 = 3 (−2)3
10

= 12 − 7 = 3 (−8)

=5 = −24

5) If there are 24 hours in a day, how many hours would be there in an unknown number of days?

Use the formula to calculate the number of hours in 9 days.

Any number of days: 24𝑥 where 𝑥 is the number of days.

9 days ∴ 𝑥 = 9

24 (9) = 216 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠

 Lesson 4 Practice

1. Calculate the value of the following expressions:

a) 𝑝 + 5 when 𝑝 = 3 e) 𝑐 − 𝑑 when 𝑐 = 25 and 𝑑 = 32

b) 𝑞 − 6 when 𝑞 = 4 f) 8𝑚 − 5 when 𝑚 = −5
𝑥
c) 6ℎ when ℎ = −3 g) 2
− 5 when 𝑥 = −4
𝑗 𝑝 𝑞
d) 4
when 𝑗 = −20 h) 2
+ 5 when 𝑝 = −8 and 𝑞 = 30

2. Calculate the value of the following expressions:

𝑦2
a) 𝑥 2 + 5 when 𝑥 = 5 e) when 𝑦 = 4
2
𝑝3
b) 10 − 𝑦 2 when 𝑦 = 2 f) 8
when 𝑝 = 4

c) 𝑔2 + ℎ2 when 𝑔 = 3 and ℎ = −6 g) 20 − 𝑥 3 when 𝑥 = 3

d) 𝑚2 − 𝑛2 when 𝑚 = 7 and 𝑛 = 8 h) 2𝑑2 + 1 when 𝑑 = 9