Use the Language of Algebra

Use Variables and Algebraic Symbols

Greg and Alex have the same birthday, but they were born in different years. This year Greg is $20$ years old and Alex is $23,$ so Alex is $3$ years older than Greg. When Greg was $12,$ Alex was $15 .$ When Greg is $35,$ Alex will be $38 .$ No matter what Greg’s age is, Alex’s age will always be $3$ years more, right?

In the language of algebra, we say that Greg’s age and Alex’s age are variable and the three is a constant. The ages change, or vary, so age is a variable. The $3$ years between them always stays the same, so the age difference is the constant.

In algebra, letters of the alphabet are used to represent variables. Suppose we call Greg’s age $g .$ Then we could use $g + 3$ to represent Alex’s age. See Table 1.

Greg’s age	Alex’s age
$12$	$15$
$20$	$23$
$35$	$38$
$g$	$g + 3$

Letters are used to represent variables. Letters often used for variables are $x, y, a, b, and c .$

To write algebraically, we need some symbols as well as numbers and variables. There are several types of symbols we will be using. In Whole Numbers, we introduced the symbols for the four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We will summarize them here, along with words we use for the operations and the result.

Operation	Notation	Say:	The result is…
Addition	$a + b$	$a plus b$	the sum of $a$ and $b$
Subtraction	$a - b$	$a minus b$	the difference of $a$ and $b$
Multiplication	$a \cdot b, (a) (b), (a) b, a (b)$	$a times b$	The product of $a$ and $b$
Division	$a \div b, a / b, \frac{a}{b}, b a$	$a$ divided by $b$	The quotient of $a$ and $b$

In algebra, the cross symbol, $\times,$ is not used to show multiplication because that symbol may cause confusion. Does $3 x y$ mean $3 \times y$ (three times $y$ ) or $3 \cdot x \cdot y$ (three times $x times y$ )? To make it clear, use • or parentheses for multiplication.

We perform these operations on two numbers. When translating from symbolic form to words, or from words to symbolic form, pay attention to the words of or and to help you find the numbers.

The sum of $5$ and $3$ means add $5$ plus $3,$ which we write as $5 + 3 .$
The difference of $9$ and $2$ means subtract $9$ minus $2,$ which we write as $9 - 2 .$
The product of $4$ and $8$ means multiply $4$ times $8,$ which we can write as $4 \cdot 8 .$
The quotient of $20$ and $5$ means divide $20$ by $5,$ which we can write as $20 \div 5 .$

Translate from algebra to words:

ⓐ $12 + 14$
ⓑ $(30) (5)$
ⓒ $64 \div 8$
ⓓ $x - y$

Solution

Different ways to express the sum of twelve and fourteen.
ⓐ
$12 + 14$
12 plus 14
the sum of twelve and fourteen

This table illustrates various ways to represent the multiplication expression (30)(5).
ⓑ
$(30) (5)$
30 times 5
the product of thirty and five

Illustrates various ways to express the mathematical operation '64 divided by 8'.
ⓒ
$64 \div 8$
64 divided by 8
the quotient of sixty-four and eight

Shows different ways to express the mathematical difference between variables x and y.
ⓓ
$x - y$
$x$ minus $y$
the difference of $x$ and $y$

When two quantities have the same value, we say they are equal and connect them with an equal sign.

An inequality is used in algebra to compare two quantities that may have different values. The number line can help you understand inequalities. Remember that on the number line the numbers get larger as they go from left to right. So if we know that $b$ is greater than $a,$ it means that $b$ is to the right of $a$ on the number line. We use the symbols $“<”$ and $“>”$ for inequalities.

The expressions $a < b and a > b$ can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left, though in English we usually read from left-to-right. In general,

\begin{array}{l} a < b is equivalent to b > a . For example, 7 < 11 is equivalent to 11 > 7 . \\ a > b is equivalent to b < a . For example, 17 > 4 is equivalent to 4 < 17 . \end{array}

When we write an inequality symbol with a line under it, such as $a \leq b,$ it means $a < b$ or $a = b .$ We read this $a$ is less than or equal to $b .$ Also, if we put a slash through an equal sign, $≠,$ it means not equal.

We summarize the symbols of equality and inequality in Table 7.

Algebraic Notation	Say
$a = b$	$a$ is equal to $b$
$a \neq b$	$a$ is not equal to $b$
$a < b$	$a$ is less than $b$
$a > b$	$a$ is greater than $b$
$a \leq b$	$a$ is less than or equal to $b$
$a \geq b$	$a$ is greater than or equal to $b$

Translate from algebra to words:

ⓐ $20 \leq 35$
ⓑ $11 \neq 15 - 3$
ⓒ $9 > 10 \div 2$
ⓓ $x + 2 < 10$

Solution

This table presents a mathematical inequality (20 ≤ 35) and its equivalent verbal interpretation.
ⓐ
$20 \leq 35$
20 is less than or equal to 35

This table illustrates a mathematical inequality, 11 \u2260 15-3, presented in both symbolic and verbal forms.
ⓑ
$11 \neq 15 - 3$
11 is not equal to 15 minus 3

Presents a mathematical inequality (9 > 10 ÷ 2) and its verbal description.
ⓒ
$9 > 10 \div 2$
9 is greater than 10 divided by 2

Illustrates the inequality x+2<10 using a symbol, its mathematical form, and a verbal description.
ⓓ
$x + 2 < 10$
$x$ plus 2 is less than 10

The information in Figure 1 compares the fuel economy in miles-per-gallon (mpg) of several cars. Write the appropriate symbol

=, <, or >

in each expression to compare the fuel economy of the cars.

This table has two rows and six columns. The first column is a header column and it labels each row The first row is labeled “Car” and the second “Fuel economy (mpg)”. To the right of the ‘Car’ row are the labels: “Prius”, “Mini Cooper”, “Toyota Corolla”, “Versa”, “Honda Fit”. Each of these columns contains an image of the labeled car model. To the right of the “Fuel economy (mpg)” row are the algebraic equations: the letter p, the equals symbol, the number forty-eight; the letter m, the equals symbol, the number twenty-seven; the letter c, the equals symbol, the number twenty-eight; the letter v, the equals symbol, the number twenty-six; and the letter f, the equals symbol, the number twenty-seven. — (credit: modification of work by Bernard Goldbach, Wikimedia Commons)

ⓐ MPG of Prius_____ MPG of Mini Cooper
ⓑ MPG of Versa_____ MPG of Fit
ⓒ MPG of Mini Cooper_____ MPG of Fit
ⓓ MPG of Corolla_____ MPG of Versa
ⓔ MPG of Corolla_____ MPG of Prius

Solution

Comparison of Prius and Mini Cooper MPG values, highlighting Prius's superior fuel efficiency.
ⓐ
	MPG of Prius____MPG of Mini Cooper
Find the values in the chart.	48____27
Compare.	48 > 27
	MPG of Prius > MPG of Mini Cooper

Comparison of fuel efficiency (MPG) between Versa and Fit.
ⓑ
	MPG of Versa____MPG of Fit
Find the values in the chart.	26____27
Compare.	26 < 27
	MPG of Versa < MPG of Fit

This table illustrates a comparison of fuel efficiency (MPG) for a Mini Cooper and a Fit, indicating both vehicles achieve 27 MPG.
ⓒ
	MPG of Mini Cooper____MPG of Fit
Find the values in the chart.	27____27
Compare.	27 = 27
	MPG of Mini Cooper = MPG of Fit

This table outlines a step-by-step comparison of Miles Per Gallon (MPG) values for Toyota Corolla and Nissan Versa, including the numerical data and the comparison result.
ⓓ
	MPG of Corolla____MPG of Versa
Find the values in the chart.	28____26
Compare.	28 > 26
	MPG of Corolla > MPG of Versa

This table compares the MPG of Corolla (28) and Prius (48), showing Prius has higher fuel efficiency.
ⓔ
	MPG of Corolla____MPG of Prius
Find the values in the chart.	28____48
Compare.	28 < 48
	MPG of Corolla < MPG of Prius

Grouping symbols in algebra are much like the commas, colons, and other punctuation marks in written language. They indicate which expressions are to be kept together and separate from other expressions. Table 17 lists three of the most commonly used grouping symbols in algebra.

Common Grouping Symbols
parentheses	$()$
brackets	$[]$
braces	${}$

Here are some examples of expressions that include grouping symbols. We will simplify expressions like these later in this section.

8 (14 - 8) 21 - 3 [2 + 4 (9 - 8)] 24 \div {13 - 2 [1 (6 - 5) + 4]}

Identify Expressions and Equations

What is the difference in English between a phrase and a sentence? A phrase expresses a single thought that is incomplete by itself, but a sentence makes a complete statement. “Running very fast” is a phrase, but “The football player was running very fast” is a sentence. A sentence has a subject and a verb.

In algebra, we have expressions and equations. An expression is like a phrase. Here are some examples of expressions and how they relate to word phrases:

Expression	Words	Phrase
$3 + 5$	$3 plus 5$	the sum of three and five
$n - 1$	$n$ minus one	the difference of $n$ and one
$6 \cdot 7$	$6 times 7$	the product of six and seven
$\frac{x}{y}$	$x$ divided by $y$	the quotient of $x$ and $y$

Notice that the phrases do not form a complete sentence because the phrase does not have a verb. An equation is two expressions linked with an equal sign. When you read the words the symbols represent in an equation, you have a complete sentence in English. The equal sign gives the verb. Here are some examples of equations:

Equation	Sentence
$3 + 5 = 8$	The sum of three and five is equal to eight.
$n - 1 = 14$	$n$ minus one equals fourteen.
$6 \cdot 7 = 42$	The product of six and seven is equal to forty-two.
$x = 53$	$x$ is equal to fifty-three.
$y + 9 = 2 y - 3$	$y$ plus nine is equal to two $y$ minus three.

Determine if each is an expression or an equation:

ⓐ $16 - 6 = 10$
ⓑ $4 \cdot 2 + 1$
ⓒ $x \div 25$
ⓓ $y + 8 = 40$

Solution

This table provides examples of mathematical statements, classifying each as either an equation or an expression, based on the presence or absence of an equal sign.
ⓐ $16 - 6 = 10$	This is an equation—two expressions are connected with an equal sign.
ⓑ $4 \cdot 2 + 1$	This is an expression—no equal sign.
ⓒ $x \div 25$	This is an expression—no equal sign.
ⓓ $y + 8 = 40$	This is an equation—two expressions are connected with an equal sign.

Simplify Expressions with Exponents

To simplify a numerical expression means to do all the math possible. For example, to simplify $4 \cdot 2 + 1$ we’d first multiply $4 \cdot 2$ to get $8$ and then add the $1$ to get $9 .$ A good habit to develop is to work down the page, writing each step of the process below the previous step. The example just described would look like this:

4 \cdot 2 + 1

8 + 1

9

Suppose we have the expression $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 .$ We could write this more compactly using exponential notation. Exponential notation is used in algebra to represent a quantity multiplied by itself several times. We write $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2$ as $2^{3}$ and $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2$ as $2^{9} .$ In expressions such as $2^{3},$ the $2$ is called the base and the $3$ is called the exponent. The exponent tells us how many factors of the base we have to multiply.

The image shows the number two with the number three, in superscript, to the right of the two. The number two is labeled as “base” and the number three is labeled as “exponent”.

means multiply three factors of 2

We say $2^{3}$ is in exponential notation and $2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2$ is in expanded notation.

For powers of $n = 2$ and $n = 3,$ we have special names.

\begin{array}{l} a^{2} is read as " a squared" \\ a^{3} is read as " a cubed" \end{array}

Table 21 lists some examples of expressions written in exponential notation.

Exponential Notation	In Words
$7^{2}$	$7$ to the second power, or $7$ squared
$5^{3}$	$5$ to the third power, or $5$ cubed
$9^{4}$	$9$ to the fourth power
$12^{5}$	$12$ to the fifth power

Write each expression in exponential form:

ⓐ $16 \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot 16$
ⓑ $9 \cdot 9 \cdot 9 \cdot 9 \cdot 9$
ⓒ $x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x$
ⓓ $a \cdot a \cdot a \cdot a \cdot a \cdot a \cdot a \cdot a$

Solution

Illustrates verbal descriptions of repeated factors and their corresponding exponential notation.
ⓐ The base 16 is a factor 7 times.	$16^{7}$
ⓑ The base 9 is a factor 5 times.	$9^{5}$
ⓒ The base $x$ is a factor 4 times.	$x^{4}$
ⓓ The base $a$ is a factor 8 times.	$a^{8}$

Write each exponential expression in expanded form:

ⓐ $8^{6}$
ⓑ $x^{5}$

Solution

ⓐ The base is $8$ and the exponent is $6,$ so $8^{6}$ means $8 \cdot 8 \cdot 8 \cdot 8 \cdot 8 \cdot 8$

ⓑ The base is $x$ and the exponent is $5,$ so $x^{5}$ means $x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x$

To simplify an exponential expression without using a calculator, we write it in expanded form and then multiply the factors.

Simplify: $3^{4} .$

Solution

Steps to evaluate the exponential expression 3^4, showing expansion and multiplication to reach the final result.
	$3^{4}$
Expand the expression.	$3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3$
Multiply left to right.	$9 \cdot 3 \cdot 3$
	$27 \cdot 3$
Multiply.	$81$

Simplify Expressions Using the Order of Operations

We’ve introduced most of the symbols and notation used in algebra, but now we need to clarify the order of operations. Otherwise, expressions may have different meanings, and they may result in different values.

For example, consider the expression:

4 + 3 \cdot 7

\begin{matrix} Some students say it simplifies to 49. & Some students say it simplifies to 25. \\ \begin{matrix} 4 + 3 \cdot 7 \\ Since 4 + 3 gives 7. & 7 \cdot 7 \\ And 7 \cdot 7 is 49. & 49 \end{matrix} & \begin{matrix} 4 + 3 \cdot 7 \\ Since 3 \cdot 7 is 21. & 4 + 21 \\ And 21 + 4 makes 25. & 25 \end{matrix} \end{matrix}

Imagine the confusion that could result if every problem had several different correct answers. The same expression should give the same result. So mathematicians established some guidelines called the order of operations, which outlines the order in which parts of an expression must be simplified.

Students often ask, “How will I remember the order?” Here is a way to help you remember: Take the first letter of each key word and substitute the silly phrase. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.

Order of Operations
Please	Parentheses
Excuse	Exponents
My Dear	Multiplication and Division
Aunt Sally	Addition and Subtraction

It’s good that ‘My Dear’ goes together, as this reminds us that multiplication and division have equal priority. We do not always do multiplication before division or always do division before multiplication. We do them in order from left to right.

Similarly, ‘Aunt Sally’ goes together and so reminds us that addition and subtraction also have equal priority and we do them in order from left to right.

Simplify the expressions:

ⓐ $4 + 3 \cdot 7$
ⓑ $(4 + 3) \cdot 7$

Solution

ⓐ

Are there any parentheses? No.
Are there any exponents? No.
Is there any multiplication or division? Yes.
Multiply first.
Add.

ⓑ

Are there any parentheses? Yes.
Simplify inside the parentheses.
Are there any exponents? No.
Is there any multiplication or division? Yes.
Multiply.

Simplify:

ⓐ $18 \div 9 \cdot 2$
ⓑ $18 \cdot 9 \div 2$

Solution

ⓐ

Are there any parentheses? No.
Are there any exponents? No.
Is there any multiplication or division? Yes.
Multiply and divide from left to right. Divide.
Multiply.

ⓑ

Are there any parentheses? No.
Are there any exponents? No.
Is there any multiplication or division? Yes.
Multiply and divide from left to right.
Multiply.
Divide.

Simplify: $18 \div 6 + 4 (5 - 2) .$

Solution


Parentheses? Yes, subtract first.
Exponents? No.
Multiplication or division? Yes.
Divide first because we multiply and divide left to right.
Any other multiplication or division? Yes.
Multiply.
Any other multiplication or division? No.
Any addition or subtraction? Yes.

When there are multiple grouping symbols, we simplify the innermost parentheses first and work outward.

$Simplify: 5 + 2^{3} + 3 [6 - 3 (4 - 2)] .$

Solution


Are there any parentheses (or other grouping symbol)? Yes.
Focus on the parentheses that are inside the brackets.
Subtract.
Continue inside the brackets and multiply.
Continue inside the brackets and subtract.
The expression inside the brackets requires no further simplification.
Are there any exponents? Yes.
Simplify exponents.
Is there any multiplication or division? Yes.
Multiply.
Is there any addition or subtraction? Yes.
Add.
Add.

Simplify: $2^{3} + 3^{4} \div 3 - 5^{2} .$

Solution


If an expression has several exponents, they may be simplified in the same step.
Simplify exponents.
Divide.
Add.
Subtract.

Key Concepts

Operation	Notation	Say:	The result is…
Addition	$a + b$	$a plus b$	the sum of $a$ and $b$
Multiplication	$a \cdot b, (a) (b), (a) b, a (b)$	$a times b$	The product of $a$ and $b$
Subtraction	$a - b$	$a minus b$	the difference of $a$ and $b$
Division	$a \div b, a / b, \frac{a}{b}, b a$	$a$ divided by $b$	The quotient of $a$ and $b$

Equality Symbol
- $a = b$ is read as $a$ is equal to $b$
- The symbol $=$ is called the equal sign.
Inequality
- $a < b$ is read $a$ is less than $b$
- $a$ is to the left of $b$ on the number line
- $a > b$ is read $a$ is greater than $b$
- $a$ is to the right of $b$ on the number line

Algebraic Notation	Say
$a = b$	$a$ is equal to $b$
$a \neq b$	$a$ is not equal to $b$
$a < b$	$a$ is less than $b$
$a > b$	$a$ is greater than $b$
$a \leq b$	$a$ is less than or equal to $b$
$a \geq b$	$a$ is greater than or equal to $b$

Exponential Notation
- For any expression $a^{n}$ is a factor multiplied by itself $n$ times, if $n$ is a positive integer.
- $a^{n}$ means multiply $n$ factors of $a$
- The expression of $a^{n}$ is read $a$ to the $n th$ power.

Order of Operations When simplifying mathematical expressions perform the operations in the following order:

Parentheses and other Grouping Symbols: Simplify all expressions inside the parentheses or other grouping symbols, working on the innermost parentheses first.
Exponents: Simplify all expressions with exponents.
Multiplication and Division: Perform all multiplication and division in order from left to right. These operations have equal priority.
Addition and Subtraction: Perform all addition and subtraction in order from left to right. These operations have equal priority.

Practice Makes Perfect

Use Variables and Algebraic Symbols

In the following exercises, translate from algebraic notation to words.

$16 - 9$

Solution

16 minus 9, the difference of sixteen and nine

$25 - 7$

$5 \cdot 6$

Solution

5 times 6, the product of five and six

$3 \cdot 9$

$28 \div 4$

Solution

28 divided by 4, the quotient of twenty-eight and four

$45 \div 5$

$x + 8$

Solution

x plus 8, the sum of x and eight

$x + 11$

$(2) (7)$

Solution

2 times 7, the product of two and seven

$(4) (8)$

$14 < 21$

Solution

fourteen is less than twenty-one

$17 < 35$

$36 \geq 19$

Solution

thirty-six is greater than or equal to nineteen

$42 \geq 27$

$3 n = 24$

Solution

3 times n equals 24, the product of three and n equals twenty-four

$6 n = 36$

$y - 1 > 6$

Solution

y minus 1 is greater than 6, the difference of y and one is greater than six

$y - 4 > 8$

$2 \leq 18 \div 6$

Solution

2 is less than or equal to 18 divided by 6; 2 is less than or equal to the quotient of eighteen and six

$3 \leq 20 \div 4$

$a \neq 7 \cdot 4$

Solution

a is not equal to 7 times 4, a is not equal to the product of seven and four

$a \neq 1 \cdot 12$

Identify Expressions and Equations

In the following exercises, determine if each is an expression or an equation.

$9 \cdot 6 = 54$

Solution

equation

$7 \cdot 9 = 63$

$5 \cdot 4 + 3$

Solution

expression

$6 \cdot 3 + 5$

$x + 7$

Solution

expression

$x + 9$

$y - 5 = 25$

Solution

equation

$y - 8 = 32$

Simplify Expressions with Exponents

In the following exercises, write in exponential form.

$3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3$

Solution

3⁷

$4 \cdot 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 4$

$x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x$

Solution

x⁵

$y \cdot y \cdot y \cdot y \cdot y \cdot y$

In the following exercises, write in expanded form.

$5^{3}$

Solution

$5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5$

$8^{3}$

$2^{8}$

Solution

$2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2$

$10^{5}$

Simplify Expressions Using the Order of Operations

In the following exercises, simplify.

ⓐ $3 + 8 \cdot 5$
ⓑ $(3+8) \cdot 5$

Solution

ⓐ 43
ⓑ 55

ⓐ $2 + 6 \cdot 3$
ⓑ $(2+6) \cdot 3$

$2^{3} - 12 \div (9 - 5)$

Solution

5

$3^{2} - 18 \div (11 - 5)$

$3 \cdot 8 + 5 \cdot 2$

Solution

34

$4 \cdot 7 + 3 \cdot 5$

$2 + 8 (6 + 1)$

Solution

58

$4 + 6 (3 + 6)$

$4 \cdot 12 / 8$

Solution

6

$2 \cdot 36 / 6$

$6 + 10 / 2 + 2$

Solution

13

$9 + 12 / 3 + 4$

$(6 + 10) \div (2 + 2)$

Solution

4

$(9 + 12) \div (3 + 4)$

$20 \div 4 + 6 \cdot 5$

Solution

35

$33 \div 3 + 8 \cdot 2$

$20 \div (4 + 6) \cdot 5$

Solution

10

$33 \div (3 + 8) \cdot 2$

$4^{2} + 5^{2}$

Solution

41

$3^{2} + 7^{2}$

${(4 + 5)}^{2}$

Solution

81

${(3 + 7)}^{2}$

$3 (1 + 9 \cdot 6) - 4^{2}$

Solution

149

$5 (2 + 8 \cdot 4) - 7^{2}$

$2 [1 + 3 (10 - 2)]$

Solution

50

$5 [2 + 4 (3 - 2)]$

Everyday Math

Basketball In the 2014 NBA playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat. The table below shows the heights of the starters on each team. Use this table to fill in the appropriate symbol $(=, <, >) .$

Spurs	Height	Heat	Height
Tim Duncan	$83″$	Rashard Lewis	$82″$
Boris Diaw	$80″$	LeBron James	$80″$
Kawhi Leonard	$79″$	Chris Bosh	$83″$
Tony Parker	$74″$	Dwyane Wade	$76″$
Danny Green	$78″$	Ray Allen	$77″$

ⓐ Height of Tim Duncan____Height of Rashard Lewis
ⓑ Height of Boris Diaw____Height of LeBron James
ⓓ Height of Tony Parker____Height of Dwyane Wade
ⓔ Height of Danny Green____Height of Ray Allen

Elevation In Colorado there are more than

50

mountains with an elevation of over

14,000 feet.

The table shows the ten tallest. Use this table to fill in the appropriate inequality symbol.

Mountain	Elevation
Mt. Elbert	$14,433′$
Mt. Massive	$14,421′$
Mt. Harvard	$14,420′$
Blanca Peak	$14,345′$
La Plata Peak	$14,336′$
Uncompahgre Peak	$14,309′$
Crestone Peak	$14,294′$
Mt. Lincoln	$14,286′$
Grays Peak	$14,270′$
Mt. Antero	$14,269′$

ⓐ Elevation of La Plata Peak____Elevation of Mt. Antero
ⓑ Elevation of Blanca Peak____Elevation of Mt. Elbert
ⓓ Elevation of Mt. Massive____Elevation of Crestone Peak
ⓔ Elevation of Mt. Harvard____Elevation of Uncompahgre Peak

Writing Exercises

Explain the difference between an expression and an equation.

Why is it important to use the order of operations to simplify an expression?

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

A self-assessment checklist for students to evaluate their understanding of algebraic concepts, including using variables, identifying expressions and equations, and simplifying expressions with exponents and order of operations.

ⓑ If most of your checks were:

…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved the objectives in this section. Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific.

…with some help. This must be addressed quickly because topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. In math, every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Whom can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?

…no—I don’t get it! This is a warning sign and you must not ignore it. You should get help right away or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as you can to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.