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.