Chapter 12, Problem 1CLR

To determine

To Evaluate: The simplified value of the expression $a(b-e)$ where $a=-1$ , $b=1$ , $c=0$ , $d=3$ and $e=-\frac{5}{2}$ .

Answer to Problem 1CLR

The value of the expression is $-\frac{7}{2}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

The expression is $a(b-e)$ and the values of variables are $a=-1$ , $b=1$ , $c=0$ , $d=3$ and $e=-\frac{5}{2}$ .

Formula used:

An algebraic expression may be replaced by numerical expression when the value of variable plugged in the expression.

The expression within the parentheses should be simplified first.

Calculation:

Consider the expression $a(b-e)$ and values of variable $a=-1$ , $b=1$ , $c=0$ , $d=3$ and $e=-\frac{5}{2}$ .

Recall that an algebraic expression may be replaced by numerical expression when the value of variable plugged in the expression.

Use it, the expression $a(b-e)$ replace as:

  $-1\left(1-\left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)\right)$

Again recall that the expression within the parentheses should be simplified first,

Apply it,

  $\begin{array}{c}-1\left(1-\left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)\right)=-1\left(1+\frac{5}{2}\right)\\ =-1\times \frac{7}{2}\end{array}$

Again simplify,

  $-1\times \frac{7}{2}=-\frac{7}{2}$

Thus, the value of the expression $a(b-e)$ is $-\frac{7}{2}$ .