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 divided by Division
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.
a. n+3
Simplify (means to solve the problem or perform as
n+3=4+3 many of the indicated operations as possible.)
=7
Solution:
b. n–3 Substitute 4 for n.
n–3=4–3 Simplify
=1

Solution: Substitute 4 for n. Simplify

 EVALUATE AN ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSION
• Example 2: Evaluate each expression if x = 8.
a. 5x
Substitute 8 for x. Simplify
5x = 5(8)
Solution: 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

x÷4=8÷4
Solution:

Recall that division problems are also

=2 fractions – this problem could be
written as:
 EVALUATING MORE
EXPRESSIONS
• Example 3: Evaluate each expression if x = 4, y = 6, and z = 24.
a. 5xy
5xy = 5(4)(6)
= 120
Substitute 4 for x; 6 for y. simplify
Solution: b.

=4 Substitute 24 for z; 6 for y. Simplify.

Solution:
NOW YOU TRY…
EVALUATE EACH EXPRESSION GIVEN THAT A = 6, B = 12,
AND C = 3.

A
1. 4ac
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
4ac = 4(6)(3)into the problem and multiply
= (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
a÷c=6÷3 into the problem and divide

=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,
a + b + c = 6 + 12 + 3 and c = 3 into the problem, then add.

= 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
ba = (12)(6) into the problem, then multiply.

= 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
b – c = 12 – 3 into the problem, then subtract.

=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

Divide both Note: It is better to rewrite this division

numerator and problem as a fraction.
denominator by This fraction can now be reduced to its
the GCF = (3) to simplest form.
reduce this
fraction. It is OK to have a fraction
as an answer.
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.
• 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
10x, 2x Remember you cannot
combine terms with
-4y – 2y the same variable but
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 variables
and _________ along with one or more ________
arithmetic operations
_________. (Note: No _______ sign)
equal
• To evaluate an expression write the _________,
substitute a _______ for each variable,
expression number and
_________ the result.simplify
 CONCLUSION CONTINUED…

• In an expression, __________like
are terms
the terms that have the
same ________, raised to the same ________ (same
exponents).
variables
• A coefficient is a number that ________ a variable.
power

multiplies
“YOUR TURN”

1. 2x – 3x + 6x = 35; if x =3
2. 4r – 8r – 2r = 36 if r=1,
3. -5s – 2s – s = -16 if s=2
4. -2y + 6y – 3y = 34 if y =3
5. 13a – 6a – 7a – 2a = 10 if a=5
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