what does it mean to evaluate an expression

Evaluating an expression means finding its value after you substitute any variables with numbers and then do the operations in the correct order. For example, if x=4x=4x=4, then 3x3x3x evaluates to 3×4=123\times 4=123×4=12.

Quick scoop

In math, an expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operation signs, like 2x+52x+52x+5 or 7−37-37−3. To evaluate it, you plug in the given number for the variable and simplify.

Example

If the expression is 2x+32x+32x+3 and x=5x=5x=5:

1. Replace xxx with 5.
2. Compute 2(5)+32(5)+32(5)+3.
3. Get 10+3=1310+3=1310+3=13.

Easy way to remember it

• Expression = the math phrase.
• Evaluate = find the value of that phrase.
• Order matters = use standard order of operations when simplifying.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between evaluating and solving.