Lesson 1.

Core Focus on
Linear Equations
Evaluating Expressions

Warm-Up
Find the value of each expression.
1.4 8 2 6 + 1

21

(4 2) 2
2.
59

3.5|2 + (3)| + 10

35

Lesson 1.2

Evaluating Expressions
Use the order of operations to evaluate
expressions.

Vocabulary
Algebraic Expression
An expression that contains numbers, operations and variables.
Good to Know!
Algebraic expressions can be evaluated when the
values of the variables are given.
Equation
Mathematical sentence that contains an equals sign between two
expressions.

Evaluating Expressions
1. Rewrite the expression by replacing the variables
with the given values.
2. Follow the order of operations to compute the value
of the expression.

Example 1
Evaluate the algebraic expression:
a. 2x 8 when x = 4
Write the expression.

2x 8

Substitute 4 for x.

2(4) 8

Multiply.

88

Subtract.

Example 1 Continued
Evaluate the algebraic expression.
b. 5(m y )

when m 2 and y 10

Write the expression.

Substitute 2 for m and 10 for y.
Add inside parentheses.
Multiply.
Divide the numerator by the
denominator.

5(m y )
m
5( 2 10)
2
5(8)
2
40
2
20

Extra Example 1
Evaluate each expression.
a. 5x + 1 when x = 3
16
b. (a + b) a when a = 5 and b = 2

Good to Know!
Different values can be substituted for the variable in an expression.
A table is used to help organize mathematical computations.

The values for the variable are often called the input values.
The values of the expression are often called the output values.

Example 2
Fill in the table by evaluating the given expression for the
values listed.

Rewrite the expression the input value of x and then follow

the order of operations. In this case, multiply and then add to
find the output values.

Extra Example 2
Fill in the table by evaluating the given expression for the
values listed.
x
3
0
2
5

9 4x

Value

9 4( 3)
9 4(0)
9 4(2)
9 4(5)

21
9
1
11

Example 3
State whether the equation is true or false for the values
of the variables given.
a. 3x + 2y = 8 when x = 2 and y = 1
Substitute x = 2 and y = 1.

3(2) + 2(1) 8

Multiply.

6+28

Add.

8 = 8 TRUE!

Example 3 Continued
State whether the equation is true or false for the values
of the variables given.
b. 5x + 9 = y when x = 6 and y = 21
Substitute x = 6 and y = 21.

5(6) + 9 21

Multiply.

30 + 9 21

Add.

21 = 21

TRUE!

Example 3 Continued
State whether the equation is true or false for the values
of the variables given.

1
c. y x 1 when x = 8 and y = 17.
2
Substitute x = 8 and y = 17.

17

1
(8) 1
2

Multiply.

17 4 1

Add.

17 5 FALSE!

Extra Example 3
State whether each equation is true or false for the given
values.
a. 5x 3y = 10 when x = 3 and y = 2

FALSE

Extra Example 3 Continued

State whether each equation is true or false for the given
values.
b. 2x + 7 = y when x = 4 and y = 1

TRUE

Communication Prompt
How is an equation different from an expression?

Exit Problems
Evaluate each expression when x = 5.
1.7x 6

29

2.(x 1)2

16

4x 2
3.
x6