To evaluate an expression means to find the value of the expression when the variable is replaced by a given number. In other words, we substitute the given number for the variable in the expression and then simplify the expression using the order of operations. Evaluating expressions is a fundamental concept in mathematics, and it involves finding the value of a mathematical statement that has at least two terms containing numbers or variables, or both, connected by an operator.
To evaluate an expression, we follow these steps:
- Substitute the given number for the variable in the expression.
- Simplify the expression using the order of operations.
For example, to evaluate the expression 3x + 2 when x = 4, we substitute 4 for x and simplify the expression using the order of operations: 3(4) + 2 = 14 .
