Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

An easy step-by-step guide

Algebraic Expressions
 Expressions that contain variables such as
x, y, z, a, b, or c, are called algebraic
expressions
 Examples:
3x + 4 9y 1 – 23a
 The value of an algebraic expression depends
on the given value of the variable
 Examples:
x=2 y = -5 a=0
Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
 To evaluate these expressions, replace the
variable with the given value, and perform
any algebraic operations
 Example:
Evaluate x – 8 for x = 3.
1. Replace x with 3
2. The expression becomes 3 – 8
3. So when you evaluate x – 8 for x = 3, the
result is 3 – 8 = -5
Example #1
Evaluate 9 + x for x = -4.
1. Replace x with -4 in the expression
(slowly click mouse twice):
9 + (-4)
x
2. The expression becomes 9 + (-4)
3. So, when the expression is evaluated
for x = -4, the result is…
9 + (-4) = 5
Example #2
Evaluate 3x – 9 for x = 2.
1. Replace x with 2 in the expression
(slowly click mouse twice):
3•x2 – 9
2. The expression becomes 3•2 – 9
3. So, when the expression is evaluated
for x = 2 the result is…
3•2 – 9 = -3
Directions
 Complete the exercises on the next
page by writing down all necessary
information on the…
“PowerPoint Accompanying Worksheet”
 Exercises

1. 12 + x for x=4 2. 6 ÷ 2n for n=-3

3. 26 + 2x for x=7 4. 3k – 8k for k=4

5. 32 – m for m=-3 6. 20c + 10 for c=3

7. 24 ÷ n for n=8 8. -3j + k for j=9, k=-5

9. 9z + 2z for z=-2 10. 5x + 2y for x=2, y=3

11. 18 – 3m for m=-1 12. 12z – 8w for z=-1, w=2

13. 3a + 2b – c
14. -2m + 3p – 4q
for a=1, b=2, c=3 for m=4, p=2, q = -1