Evaluation Math Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
Evaluate a2โˆ’b2a+b\frac{a^2 - b^2}{a + b} when a=5a = 5 and b=3b = 3.

Solution

  1. 1
    Substitute: 52โˆ’325+3=25โˆ’98=168\frac{5^2 - 3^2}{5 + 3} = \frac{25 - 9}{8} = \frac{16}{8}.
  2. 2
    Simplify: 168=2\frac{16}{8} = 2.
  3. 3
    Note: this works because a2โˆ’b2a+b=(a+b)(aโˆ’b)a+b=aโˆ’b=5โˆ’3=2\frac{a^2 - b^2}{a+b} = \frac{(a+b)(a-b)}{a+b} = a - b = 5 - 3 = 2.

Answer

22
Evaluating expressions with multiple variables requires substituting all values and following the order of operations. Recognizing algebraic structure (like difference of squares) can simplify the work.

About Evaluation

The process of calculating the numerical value of a mathematical expression by substituting specific numbers for each variable and then performing the indicated operations following the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS).

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