Q&A for How to Solve an Algebraic Expression

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  • Question
    What should I do if the expression is a fraction, such as x/7 - 8 = -10?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    In your example, add 8 to both sides of the equation, then multiply both sides by 7.
  • Question
    What is the advantage of algebraic expressions?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Algebraic expressions are a quick way to represent somewhat complicated situations that may occur in real life. They are a "shorthand" approach to tangible problems that might arise.
  • Question
    Three times a number minus 5 is equal to five times the same number minus 15. What's the number?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Let x be the number. Then 3x - 5 = 5x - 15. Add 15 to both sides: 3x + 10 = 5x. Subtract 3x from both sides: 10 = 2x. Divide both sides by 2: 5 = x.
  • Question
    What is the value of x squared minus 8x + 16 when x = -4?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Simply substitute (-4) for every x in the expression: (-4)² - 8(-4) + 16 = (+16) - (-32) + 16 = (+16) + (+32) + 16 = 16 + 32 + 16 = 64.
  • Question
    How do solve if it starts off with negative in front of the parenthesis?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The negative sign changes all the signs inside the parentheses. Once those signs are changed, you add everything inside the parentheses to anything else in the expression.
  • Question
    How do I get help with algebraic expressions?
    Community Answer
    It's generally best to ask your teacher for help or find a tutor (there should be some available at your school, or if not, some companies that offer tutoring services in your neighborhood).
  • Question
    How do I cube a number?
    Community Answer
    Multiply it by itself twice (for example, 2³ = 2 x 2 x 2). In other words, 2³ means to use the number 2 three times as a factor.
  • Question
    What is the difference between algebraic fractions and algebraic expressions?
    Community Answer
    Algebraic fractions are simply fractions with algebraic expressions on the top, while an algebraic expression is an expression built up from integer constants, variables, and the algebraic operations.
  • Question
    What is an empty set?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    An empty set is a set with no elements (or numbers). An example would be "all negative numbers greater than zero."
  • Question
    Given r^2 + 7 = p, how can I rewrite r in terms of p?
    Community Answer
    First, subtract 7 from both sides of the equation, leaving r² = p-7. Then take the square root of both sides, so that r = √(p-7).
  • Question
    How do I factorize an expression?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
  • Question
    How do you solve rational equations and rational inequalities?
    Community Answer
  • Question
    What is 8x²y + 7x²y - 2x²y?
    Community Answer
    All three of those terms can be combined because they are "like" terms. They combine into 13x²y. ("Like" terms each have the same variables carrying the same exponents. They do not have to have the same coefficients.)
  • Question
    How do you get the hang of algebra so it's easy?
    Community Answer
    Get help from someone who's good at explaining things in a way you can clearly understand. It could be a friend, a classmate, a family member, a teacher or a professional tutor. Don't stop asking questions until you understand the material so well you can explain it clearly to someone else.
  • Question
    What is the definition of "approximate"?
    Community Answer
    As a verb, it means to estimate or come close to in quality or quantity. As an adjective, it means not exact.
  • Question
    If 6 over x-4 = 5 over x+2, what is x?
    Community Answer
    Let's assume the equation is: 6 / (x - 4) = 5 / (x + 2). First cross-multiply: (6)(x + 2) = (5)(x - 4). So 6x + 12 = 5x - 20. Now subtract 5x from both sides: x + 12 = -20. Lastly, subtract 12 from both sides: x = -32.
  • Question
    If a - 3 = 2a + 5, what is a?
    Community Answer
    Subtract a from both sides: -3 = a + 5. Now subtract 5 from both sides: -8 = a.
  • Question
    How do you solve the following equation to get the value of each? 4m + 3a = 4.25.
    Community Answer
    All you can do is find the value of one variable in terms of the other. Thus, m = (4.25 - 3a) / 4, and a = (4.25 - 4m) / 3.
  • Question
    What is the number to -2w2+5 when w =-2?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    -2(-2)(2) + 5 = 4(2) + 5 = 8 + 5 = 13. Thirteen is your correct answer with a w value of -2.
  • Question
    Write this as an algebraic expression: S squared minus the sum of six times s and five?
    Community Answer
    Here it is: S^2 - 6s + 5.
  • Question
    How do I simplify 531.6/1000?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    531.6/1000 = 0.5316 (you move the decimal place 3 places to the left because you’re dividing and there are 3 zeros.)
  • Question
    What are the steps to solve 2w+2?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    You can't 'solve" this because it's not an equation, this is only an expression.
  • Question
    How do you solve this: if m = 7m, then 6m = ?
    Community Answer
    The only way m could equal 7m is if m equals zero. In that case, 6m also equals zero.
  • Question
    How do you factor x² - 64?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    That expression is the difference of squares. x² - 64 = (x + 8)(x - 8).
  • Question
    How do you solve -4(-36) + 3(64)?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    (-4)(-36) + 3(64) = +144 + 192 = 336.
  • Question
    What if the question is (p + q ) 2?
    Community Answer
    If the expression is 2(p + q), it becomes 2p + 2q. If the expression is (p + q)², it becomes (p + q)(p + q) = p² + 2pq + q².
  • Question
    How do you solve for x: .05x + x = 1470?
    Community Answer
    The left side of that equation combines into 1.05x. Now divide both sides of the equation by 1.05, and what's left is x = 1400.
  • Question
    How do you solve 3(2x+2)?
    Community Answer
    You can't solve that expression, because it's not an equation. If you don't want to leave it in that form, you can distribute the 3: 6x + 6.
  • Question
    How do you solve (3p+7) + (5p+6) = (np+13)?
    Community Answer
    Ordinarily we would say that this equation is not solvable, because there are two variables in it. However, in this case if we combine like terms on the left side, we find that 8p + 13 = np + 13, so that n must equal 8. That leads to the trivial identity 8p = 8p, which leaves us unable to solve for p.
  • Question
    a=0 , b=2 and c=3 find the value expressions a - [ ( b + 2c ) - ( a+ b )]
    Community Answer
    First simplify the expression by combining like terms, paying close attention to the parentheses and brackets: what's inside the brackets becomes [-a + 2c]. So the full expression becomes a - [-a + 2c] = 2a - 2c. Then plugging in the values given for the variables, the expression becomes (2)(0) - (2)(3) = -6.
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