2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Warm Up
Problem of the Day
Lesson Presentation

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Warm Up
Evaluate.

1. 5(7) – 1 34
2. 7(18 – 11) 49
3. 22 + 17  8 + 3 161
4. 36 + 15(40 – 35) 111
5. 33 + 7(12 – 4) 83

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Problem of the Day

How much will it cost to cut a log into
eight pieces if cutting it into four pieces
costs $12?
$28

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Learn to evaluate algebraic expressions.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables
Insert Lesson Title Here
and Algebraic Expressions

Vocabulary
variable
constant
algebraic expression
evaluate

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Ron Howard was born in 1954. You can find

out what year Ron turned 16 by adding the
year he was born to his age.

1954 + 16

In algebra, letters are often used to represent

numbers. You can use a letter such as a to
represent Ron Howard’s age. When he turns a
years old, the year will be

1954 + a.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

The letter a has a value that can change, or

vary. When a letter represents a number that
can vary, it is called a variable. The year
1954 is a constant because the number
cannot change.

An algebraic expression consists of one or

more variables. It usually contains constants
and operations. For example, 1954 + a is an
algebraic expression for the year Ron Howard
turns a certain age.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Age Year born + age = year at age

16 1954 + 16 1970
18 1954 + 18 1972
21 1954 + 21 1975
36 1954 + 36 1990
a 1954 + a

To evaluate an algebraic expression,

substitute a number for the variable.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions
Additional Example 1: Evaluating Algebraic
Expressions
Evaluate k + 9 for each value of k.
A. k = 5 k+9

5+9 Substitute 5 for k.

14 Add.

B. k = 2 k+9
2+9 Substitute 2 for k.
11 Add.

Course 2
 2-7 Insert Lesson
Variables Title Here
and Algebraic Expressions

Try This: Example 1

Evaluate a + 6 for each value of a.

A. a = 3 a+6

3+6 Substitute 3 for a.

9 Add.

B. a = 5 a+6
5+6 Substitute 5 for a.
11 Add.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions

Multiplication and division of variables can be

written in several ways, as shown in the table.

Multiplication Division
7t 7·t q q/2
2
7(t) 7t q÷2
ab a·b s
r s/r
a(b) ab s÷r

When evaluating expressions, use the order of

operations.
Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions
Additional Example 2A: Evaluating Algebraic
Expressions Involving Order of Operations

Evaluate the expression for the given value of

the variable.
A. 4x – 3 for x = 2

4(2) – 3 Substitute 2 for x.

8–3 Multiply.
5 Subtract.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions
Additional Example 2B & 2C: Evaluating Algebraic
Expressions Involving Order of Operations

B. s ÷ 5 + s, for s = 15
15 ÷ 5 + 15 Substitute 15 for s.
3 + 15 Divide.
18 Add.
C. 5x2 + 3x, for x = 2
5(2)2 + 3(2) Substitute 2 for x.
5(4) + 3(2) Evaluate the power.
20 + 6 Multiply.
26 Add.
Course 2
 2-7 Insert Lesson
Variables Title Here
and Algebraic Expressions

Try This: Example 2A

Evaluate each expression for the given value

of the variable.
A. 3x – 2 for x = 3

3(3) – 2 Substitute 3 for x.

9–2 Multiply.
7 Subtract.

Course 2
 2-7 Insert Lesson
Variables Title Here
and Algebraic Expressions

Try This: Example 2B & 2C

B. r ÷ 3 + r, for r = 12
12 ÷ 3 + 12 Substitute 12 for r.
4 + 12 Divide.
16 Add.
C. 4y2 + 2y, for y = 3
4(3)2 + 2(3) Substitute 3 for y.
4(9) + 2(3) Evaluate the power.
36 + 6 Multiply.
42 Add.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables and Algebraic Expressions
Additional Example 3: Evaluating Algebraic
Expressions with Two Variables

Evaluate 6
a + 4b, for a = 3 and b = 2.
6
a + 4b

6 Substitute 3 for a and 2 for b.

3
+ 4(2)

2+8 Divide and multiply from

left to right.
10 Add.

Course 2
 2-7 Insert Lesson
Variables Title Here
and Algebraic Expressions

Try This: Example 3

8
Evaluate w + 2x, for w = 4 and x = 2.
8
w + 2x

8
4
+ 2(2) Substitute 4 for w and 2 for x.

2+4 Divide and multiply from

left to right.
6 Add.

Course 2
 2-7 Variables
Insert Lesson Title Here
and Algebraic Expressions
Lesson Quiz
Evaluate n + 7 for each value of n.

1. n = 25 32 2. n =31 38
Evaluate each algebraic expression for the
given value of the variables

3. 6y – 5 for y = 7 37

4. 4x2 + 3x for x = 6 162

56
5. x + 3y for x = 4 and y = 3 23
6. The expression 7d gives the number of days in
d weeks. Evaluate 7d for d = 12. How many days
are in 12 weeks? 84
Course 2