Variables and 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
x
5
,x 5 x divided by 5 Division
x 5 x plus 5 Addition
x 5 x minus 5 Subtraction
State the meaning of the
variable expression and name
the operation

1. 8 x A

2. 2w A

7 A
3.
n Please click to
bypass answer
A
6p
slide
4.
 Answer:
State the meaning of the variable expression
and name the operation
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middle of the
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each answer

1. 8 minus x; Subtraction
2. 2 times w; Multiplication
3. 7 divided by n; Division
4. 6 plus p; Addition
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answer to return to the
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**Verbal
expressions are
usually more
detailed than
stating the
meaning. Verbal
expressions are
used to translate
words or Examples:
language into **Verbal expression
variable or Algebraic Expressions
algebraic
equations. They
consist of key 1.
a
7 a divided by b; minus 7
b (note: fractions are division problems)
words that help
identify the type
of equation that
2. r 4k r times the product of 4 and k
will need to be (note: multiplication is implied when two or more
simplified. These letters xy or numbers 4k are together and there
key words are is no operation symbol).
usually
3. 5 xy 3z
introduced when The product of 5xy divided by 3z
writing variable
expressions and
writing equations
for problem 4. ( 4 n) m The sum of 4 and n; divided by m
solving.
Evaluate a Variable Expression write
the expression, substitute a number for
each variable, and simplify the result.
Value of a Variable A number that

may be substituted or assigned to a

particular variable; such as n = 3; or
x = 5.
Example 1: Evaluate each expression when n = 4

a. n3 Substitute 4 for n. Simplify

Simplify (means to solve the problem or perform as
Solution:
n3 43 many of the indicated operations as possible.)

b. n 3 Substitute 4 for n. Simplify

Solution:
n3 43
1
 Example 2: Evaluate each expression when x = 8
a. 5x Substitute 7 for x. Simplify
Solution:
5 x 5(8) Simplify (means to solve the problem or perform as
many of the indicated operations as possible.)

40 Using parenthesis is the preferred method to

Note: No operation sign
between a variable and
number indicates
multiplication problem.
show multiplication. Additional ways to show
multiplication are:
(5)(8);5 8; 5 8; 5 8

x 4 Substitute 7 for x. Simplify

x 8

b. 4 4
2;
Solution: x 4 84 Recall that division problems are also
fractions this problem could be because
2 written as:
x4
x
4
 Example 3: Evaluate each expression when x = 4, y = 6,
z = 24.

a. 5 xy Substitute 4 for x; 6 for y. simplify

Recall: No
operation sign solution
between
variable(s) and a
5 xy (5)( 4)(6)
Recall that:
number
(20)(6) z
indicates
zy
120
multiplication
problem.
y
Xy means 4(6); b. zy so,
5xy means Solution: z y 24 6 24 6
24
4
5(4)(6)
4 6
Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

1. 4ac A
2. a c A

3. a bc A

4. ba A

5. bc A

6. c b A
 Click in the
middle of the
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each answer

Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

Notice that all the numbers and letters are
together and that there are no operation
symbols which indicates that this is a
1. 4ac multiplication problem.

4ac (4)(6)(3) Substitute the value for a = 6 and c = 3

into the problem and multiply

( 24)(3) multiply
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72
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Simplified
 Click in the
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each answer

Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

2. a c Division Problem

a c 6 3 Substitute the value for a = 6 and c = 3

into the problem and divide

Another way to
2 Simplified

solve division
problems is to
a 6
a c 2
write them as Click to return to
fractions and You try it slide
simplify.
c 3
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middle of the
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each answer

Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

3. a bc Addition problem

a b c 6 12 3 Substitute the value for a = 6, b=12,

and c = 3 into the problem, then add

18 3 Add

21 Simplified Click to return to

You try it slide
 Click in the
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each answer

Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

multiplication problem
4. ba
ba (12)(6) Substitute the value for b=12 and a = 6
into the problem, then multiply

72 Simplified

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You try it slide
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each answer

Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

5. bc Subtraction problem

b c 12 3 Substitute the value for b=12 and a = 3

into the problem, then Subtract

9 Simplified

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You try it slide
 Click in the
middle of the
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each answer

Evaluate each expression when a = 6, b = 12, and c = 3

6. c b Division problem

c b 312 Substitute the value for c=3 and b = 12 into

Divide both the problem, then Divide
3

numerator and Note: It is better to rewrite this division
denominator by problem as a fraction.
the GCF = (3) to
reduce this
12 This fraction can now be reduced to its
fraction. simplest form.

3 3 1 Simplified
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You try it slide

12 3 4 It is OK to have a fraction
as an answer.