1.5.2: Evaluate Single Variable Expressions

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Single Variable Expressions

Shelly is making bracelets to sell at her town's market this summer. She spent $150 on supplies and will make $4 for every bracelet she sells. Her profit for selling b bracelets is given by the expression 4b−150. How can Shelly calculate her profit if she sells 50 bracelets this summer?

In this concept, you will learn how to evaluate single variable expressions.

Evaluating Single Variable Expressions

An expression is a mathematical phrase that contains numbers and operations.

Here are some examples of expressions:

3+10−5
−15+7−1
5²−1
15(3+4)+2

A variable is a symbol or letter (such as x,m,R,y,P, or a) that is used to represent a quantity that might change in value. A variable expression is an expression that includes variables. Another name for a variable expression is an algebraic expression.

Here are some examples of variable expressions:

3x+10
10r
b³+2
mx−3

A single variable expression is a variable expression with just one variable in it.

You can use a variable expression to describe a real world situation where one or more quantities has an unknown value or can change in value.

To evaluate a variable expression means to find the value of the expression for a given value of the variable. To evaluate, substitute the given value for the variable in the expression and simplify using the order of operations. To follow the order of operations, you always need to do any multiplication/division first before any addition/subtraction.

Here is an example.

Evaluate the expression 10k−44 for k=12.

First, remember that when you see a number next to a letter, like "10k", it means to multiply.

Next, substitute 12 in for the letter k in the expression.

Notice that you can put parentheses around the 12 to keep it separate from the number 10.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to multiply first and then subtract.

The answer is 76.

Here is another example that involves division.

Evaluate the expression (x/3)+2 for x=24.

First, remember that a fraction bar is like a division sign. x/3 is the same as x÷3.

Next, substitute 24 in for the letter x in the expression.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to divide first and then add.

The answer is 10.

Examples

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

Earlier, you were given a problem about Shelly and her bracelet business.

Shelly is selling bracelets this summer and her profit for selling b bracelets is given by the expression 4b−150. Shelly wants to calculate what her profit will be if she sells 50 bracelets.

Solution

To calculate her profit from selling 50 bracelets, Shelly needs to evaluate the expression 4b−150 for b=50.

First, substitute 50 in for the letter b in the expression.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to multiply first and then subtract.

Shelly's profit from selling 50 bracelets would be $50.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

Evaluate (x/7)−5 if x is 49.

Solution

First, substitute 49 in for the letter x in the expression.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to divide first and then subtract.

The answer is 2.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

Evaluate 4x−9 if x is 20.

Solution

First, substitute 20 in for the letter x in the expression.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to multiply first and then subtract.

The answer is 71.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

Evaluate 5y+6 if y is 9.

Solution

First, substitute 9 in for the letter y in the expression.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to multiply first and then add.

The answer is 51.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

Evaluate (a/4)−8 if a is 36.

Solution

First, substitute 36 in for the letter a in the expression.

Now, simplify the expression using the order of operations. You will need to divide first and then subtract.

The answer is 1.

Review

Evaluate each expression if the given value of r is 9.

r/3
63−r
11r
2r+7
3r+r
4r−2r
r+5r
12r−1

Evaluate each expression for h=12.

70−3h
6h+6
4h−9
11+h/4
3h+h
2h+5h
6h−2h

Review (Answers)

To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 1.4.

Vocabulary

Term	Definition
Algebraic Expression	An expression that has numbers, operations and variables, but no equals sign.
Variable	A variable is a symbol used to represent an unknown or changing quantity. The most common variables are a, b, x, y, m, and n.

Additional Resources

Videos:

PLIX: Play, Learn, Interact, eXplore: Single Variable Expressions: Neighborhood Block

Practice: Evaluate Single Variable Expressions

Real World Application: Dog Diets

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