SUBSTITUTIONS

In an algebraic expression, when we replace a pronumeral (letters of the alphabet

or symbols) by a numeral (number) this process is called substitution. This also means
that we are evaluating an algebraic expression.

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Given that m = 4 and n = 3 , calculate If a = 3 , b = 2 and c = -4 , evaluate
(i) m+n (i) a+b - c
SOLUTION SOLUTION
Replace the variables with the numbers Replace the variables with the numbers
So, m + n =4+3 So, a + b - c = 3 + 2 - -4
=7 Two like signs become a positive sign - -4 +4
=3+2+4
(ii) mn =9
SOLUTION
ac + ab
2
(ii)
'mn' means m n
SOLUTION
So, mn = m n
Now, ac = 3 -4 = -12
= 43 Two unlike signs become a negative sign
= 12 and ab = 3 2 = 6
Two like signs become a positive sign
(iii) nm So, ac + ab
2
= -12 + 6
2

SOLUTION = - 62
m
n means n raised to the m power = 36
Now nm = 34
= 3333 ac + 8b
= 81 (iii)
3ab - c2
SOLUTION
(iv) 2m + 5n
Now, ac = 3 -4 = -12
SOLUTION
8b = 8 2 = 16
We know that 2m = 2 m
and 5n = 5 n 3ab = 3 3 2 18

So, 2m + 5n = 2 m + 5 n c2 = - 4 2 = 16
= 2 4 + 5 3 ac + 8b -12 +16
So, =
3ab - c2 18 - 16
= 8 + 15
4
= 23 =
2
=2

EXERCISE C1
1. Given that a = 4 , b = 2 and c = -1, find the value of:

(i) a- b +c

(ii) 2ab

2. Given that a = -1 , b = 2 and c = -3 , find the value of :

(i) a+b +c

(ii) b 2 - c2

3. Given that a = 6 , b = -4 and c = 8 , calculate the value of

a2 + b
.
c - b




....



....

4. If a = 2 , b = -3 and c = 4 , evaluate
 (i) ab - bc

b a - c
2
(ii)

5. Given that m = -2 and n = -4 , calculate the value of 2m+n 2m- n.

6. Find the value of EACH of the following when a = 2 , b = -1 , c = 3

(i) a b + c

4b2 - 2ac
(ii)
a+b +c








7. If p = 5 , q = 0 and r = -3 , calculate the value of

(i) 4p - qr

(ii) 2r 3

2p3
8. Given that r = , calculate the value of r when p = 6 and q = 12.
q3