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Simplifying Expressions with Variables
> ... Math > The Order of Operations and Variables > Simplifying Expressions with Variables

If we have an equation (or expression) with variables, we can only solve what it is equal to when we know the variables. The following video will show how to solve an equation when given numbers for the variables.

Simplifying Expressions with Variables

Video Source (04:13 mins) | Transcript

Simplifying expressions with variables comes in handy a lot when we are given a formula for a certain type of problem. A formula is something that looks like \(pt = a\). This is a formula for finding the amount when we know the percent and the total. We learned about this formula in last week’s lesson on percentages.

In this case, \(p\) represents the percent and \(t\) represents the total. If we were told that the percent was \(75\%\) and the total was \(20\), we could find that the amount was \(15\). This is done by putting our values in for our variables in the formula. \(pt\) becomes \(\lgroup.75\rgroup\lgroup20\rgroup\) which is equal to \(15\), so \(a = 15\).

Additional Resources

Practice Problems

Simplify the following expression to find it's value:
1. Given that \(d = 3\):
\(7d = ?\) (
Solution
x
Solution: \(21\)
Details:
\(7d = 7 × 3 = 21\)

A number next to a variable implies multiplication.

\(7d\)

Replace the \(d\) in the expression with \(3\) as given in the math problem. Include a multiplication symbol of your choice.

\(7 × {\color{Red}3}\)

Finally, multiply \(7 × 3\), the answer is \(21\).
)2. Given that \(m = 20\):
\(m − 12 = ?\) (
Solution
x
Solution: 8
Details:
\(m − 12 = 20 − 12 = 8\)
)3. Given that \(x = 2\):
\(6x + 3 = ?\) (
Solution
x
Solution: \(15\)
Details:
\(6x + 3 = 6 · 2 + 3 = 15\)

In this problem, the x is the variable.

\(6 \lgroup x \rgroup +3\)

Replace the variable \(x\) with \(2\) because \(x = 2\) is given in our math problem. Use parentheses or a dot to show multiplication and to distinguish the symbol for multiplication from the \(x\) variable.

\(6\lgroup2\rgroup+ 3\)

Now use the Order of Operations to solve the problem. First, multiply \(6\) and \(2\).

\(12+ 3\)

Lastly, add \(12 + 3\). The answer is \(15\).
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Video Solution
x

(Video Source | Transcript)
)As we will explore later, the area of a rectangle can be found by multiplying the length of the rectangle by its width, or \({\text{(L × W)}}\). Use this information to answer the following two questions:4. Find the area of a rectangular-shaped floor, where the length is \(L = 3\) meters and the width is \(W = 4\) meters (
Video Solution
x
Solution: 12
Details:
\({\text{L × W}} = 3 × 4 = 12\)

As we will study later in the course, the units on this answer are square meters. So, we say the room has a size of 12 square meters. At this time, we will not worry about the units.


(Video Source | Transcript)
)5. Find the area of a rectangular-shaped computer monitor, where the length is \(L = 31\; cm\) and the width is \(W = 17\; cm\). (
Solution
x
Solution: \(527\)
Details:
\(L \times W = 31 × 17 = 527\)

As we will study later, the units on this answer are square centimeters (\(cm^{2})\). So, we say the monitor has a size of \(527\) square centimeters. At this time, we will not worry about the units.
)

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    Introduction to Variables
    Simplifying Expressions with Like Terms