When evaluating expressions, we must follow the order of operations: rackets (simplify expression inside) xponents (powers) ivision ultiplication ddition ubtraction In the order they are written, from left to right. ***Get rid of double signs first***

Example 1: Evaluate. a) b)

Example 2: Reduce to lowest terms. a) b)

Example 3: Evaluate. a) b)

c)d)

e)f)

g)h)

Simplifying Expressions “Simplify” means to collect like terms For two terms to be alike, they must contain the same variable raised to the same exponent x 2 and 2x 2 are like terms, but 3x 3 and x 4 are not like terms Signs move with the terms (if you re-arrange the order of the terms in the expression) 2x + 3y – 5x + 2y  2x – 5x +3y + 2y

Example 1: Simplify a) b)

“Solve” means to find a numerical value for the variable(s) Isolate the variable (put it by itself on one side of the equal sign) to “solve” Try to keep the equals signs lined up in each row

Example 2: Solve. a)b) CHECK:

c)

d)