How to evaluate algebraic expressions

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ACT Math › How to evaluate algebraic expressions

Questions 1 - 10
1

If , then which of the following is an expression for in terms of and ?

Explanation

Divide both sides by , giving you

.

2

A company establishes a rewards program such that the bonus received by an employee is given by the model , where is the number of sales an employee completed. If Alex earned $2700 at the end of the month, how many sales has he completed?

Explanation

Alex’s bonus of

3

Evaluate the expression for

Explanation

The answer is

To solve this expression subsitute for . This results in . Simplify to get as the answer.

4

Sally is ordering snacks for her class trip. She needs 85 cookies. The cookies come in cases of 6 boxes, with 7 cookies in each box. Sally can't order a partial box. What is the smallest number of cases she should order?

1

2

3

4

6

Explanation

We first determine how many cookies are in each box. There are 7 cookies in a box, multiplied by 6 boxes, making 42 cookies in a case. We then divide the total number of cookies she needs, 85, by the number in each case, 42, giving us 2 with a remainder. This means Sally must order 3 cases of cookies.

5

If st – 4_r_ = 8, what is the value of t in terms of r and s?

(4r + 8)/s

(8 – 4r)/s

(4s + 8)/r

(8 – 4s)/r

s(4r + 8)

Explanation

We rearrange the equation st – 4r=8 by adding 4r to the right side; then divide by s → t = (4r + 8)/s

6

Which of the following is equal (10 – 6)2 if x = 10?

(x + 6)(x – 6)

(x + 4)(x – 4)

(x + 6)(x – 4)

(x – 8)(x – 2)

(x + 8)(x + 2)

Explanation

First, you set up and solve the original equation. Set up (10 – 6)2, then solve it, giving you 16. We can then plug in 10 for x in the answer choices until you find the choice that always gives you 16, which is (x – 8)(x – 2).

7

The expression x(9 + x)(x – 2) = 4 is a polynomial of which degree?

0

2

3

4

1

Explanation

The highest power this polynomial can achieve is 3.

8

If 4x+6y=8 , then what is the value of 3(2x + 3y) ?

Explanation

The value of 3(2x + 3y) is

Note that 2x + 3y = \frac{1}{2}(4x + 6y) , so 2x + 3y must equal \frac{1}{2}(8) , which is

Since 2x + 3y = 4, we can see that 3(2x + 3y) = 12

9

If x = y – 3, then (y – x)3 =

–27

–9

3

9

27

Explanation

Solve for equation for y – x = 3. Then, plug in 3 into (y – x)3 = 27.

10

If , what is the value of:

Explanation

Substituting x+y for 5, we get

6(5) - 52 + (1/5)(5) + 8

30 - 25 + 1 + 8

= 14

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