EVALUATING

POLYNOMIALS
TO EVALUATE ANY POLYNOMIAL:

1. Substitute the given values for the variable

2. Perform the computation to simplify the polynomial to a
numerical value.

The order of operations and integer operations must be

properly applied to correctly evaluate a polynomial
 E V A L U A T I N G P O LY N O M I A L
S
Evaluating a polynomial for a particular value involves replacing
the value for the variable(s) involved.
Example
Find the value of 2x3 – 3x + 4 when x = 2.

Solution:

2x3 – 3x + 4 = 2 (2)3 – 3(2) + 4

= 2(8) - 6 + 4
= 16-6+4
= 16-2
= 14
Example:
Find the value of x2 +3x + 2 when x = 7.

Solution:
x2 +3x + 2 = (7)2 + 3(7) + 2
= 49 + 21 + 2
= 72
Example:
Find the value of 8c – 7b for b = 4 and c = 5.

Solution:
8c – 7b = 8(5) – 7(4)
= 40 – 28
= 12
Example:
Find the value of 4x2y – 2xy2 + x – 7 for 
x = 3 and y = −1

Solution:
4x2y – 2xy2 + x – 7 = 4(32)(−1) – 2(3)(−1)2 + 3 – 7
= 4(9)(−1) – 2(3)(1) + 3 – 7
= −36 – 6 + 3 – 7
= −42 + 3 – 7
= −39 – 7
= −46
Exercise 1
Find the value of 3x2−9x+7 when x = 3
Solution:
3x2−9x+7 = 3(3) 2−9(3)+7
= 3(9)−9(3)+7
= 27−27+7
=7
Exercise 2
Find the value of a2b  when  a = –2 and b = 3
Solution:
a2b  = (-2)2 (3)
= 4 (3)
= 12
Exercise 3
Find the value of x4 + 3x3 – x2 + 6 when x = –3.

Solution:
x4 + 3x3 – x2 + 6 = (-3)4 + 3(-3)3 – (-3)2 + 6
= 81 + 3(–27) – (9) + 6
= 81 – 81 – 9 + 6
= -3
Exercise 4
Find the value of 2x3 – xy2 + 6 when 
x = −2 and y = 5

Solution:
2x3 – xy2 + 6  = 2(-2)3 – (-2)(5)2 + 6
= 2(-8) – (-2)(25) + 6
= -16-(-50)+6
= -16+50+6
= -16+56
= 40
Exercise 5
Find the value of 7x2 – 3x + 2 for x = −2.

Solution:
7x2 – 3x + 2 = 7(−2)2 – 3(−2) + 2
= 7(4) – 3(−2) + 2
= 28 + 6 + 2
= 36