Algebra - Substitution

"Substitute" means to put in the place of another.

Substitution In Algebra "Substitution" means putting numbers where the letters are: If you have: X2

And you know that x=6 ... 62=4

Example 1:

If x=5 then what is 10/x + 4 ?

Put "5" where "x" is: 10/5 + 4 = 2 + 4 = 6

If x=3 and y=4, then what is x2 + xy ? Put "3" where "x" is, and "4" where "y" is: 32 + 34 = 9 + 12 = 21 If x=3 (but you don't know "y"), then what is x2 + xy ? Put "3" where "x" is: 32 + 3y = 9 + 3y

Example 2:

Example 3:

As that last example showed, you may not always get a number for an answer, sometimes just a simpler formula.

Negative Numbers When substituting negative numbers, put () around them so you get the calculations right. If x = -2, then what is 1 x + x2 ? Put "(-2)" where "x" is: 1 - (-2) + (-2)2 = 1 + 2 + 4 = 7 Note: if you don't know why

the - (-2) became +2 or

the (-2)2 became +4