Expressions and variables

An algebraic expression comprises both numbers and variables together with at least one arithmetic
operation.

Example

4x34x3
A variable, as we learned in pre-algebra, is a letter that represents unspecified numbers. One may
use a variable in the same manner as all other numerals:
Addition 4+y 4 plus y
Subtraction x-5 x minus 5
8-a 8 minus a
Division z/7 z divided by 7
14/x 14 divided by x
Multiplication 9x 9 times x
To evaluate an algebraic expression you have to substitute each variable with a number and perform
the operations included.

Example
Evaluate the expression when x=5

4x3
First we substitute x with 5

453
And then we calculate the answer

203=17
An expression that represents repeated multiplication of the same factor is called a power e.g.

555=125
A power can also be written as

53=125
Where 5 is called the base and 3 is called the exponent. The exponent corresponds to the number of
times the base is used as a factor.
53=555
3131 3 to the first power 3
42 4 to the second power or 4 squared 44
53 5 to the third power or 5 cubed 555
26 2 to the sixth power 222222

Video lesson
Evaluate the expression when x=4 and y=3

5x+y2xy