Section P.
3 Algebraic Expressions
P.3 Algebraic Expressions
What you should learn:
Identify the terms and coeffi-
cients of algebraic expressions
Identify the properties of algebra
Apply the properties of expo-
nents to simplify algebraic
expressions
Simplify algebraic expressions
by combining like terms and
removing symbols of grouping
Evaluate algebraic expressions
Why you should learn it:
Algebraic expressions can help
you construct tables of values.
For instance, in Example 14 on
page 33, you can determine the
hourly wages of construction
workers using an expression and
a table of values.
Study Tip
It is important to understand
the difference between a term
and a factor. Terms are
separated by addition whereas
factors are separated by
multiplication. For instance,
the expression 4x
x  2 has
three factors: 4, x, and

x  2.
25
Algebraic Expressions
A basic characteristic of algebra is the use of letters (or combinations of letters)
to represent numbers. The letters used to represent the numbers are variables, and
combinations of letters and numbers are algebraic expressions. Here are a few
examples.
x
3x, x  2, , 2x
3y
x2  1
Definition of Algebraic Expression
A collection of letters (called variables) and real numbers (called constants)
combined using the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, divi-
sion, and exponentiation is called an algebraic expression.
The terms of an algebraic expression are those parts that are separated by
addition. For example, the algebraic expression x2
3x  6 has three terms: x2,

3x, and 6. Note that
3x is a term, rather than 3x, because
x2
3x  6  x2 

3x  6. Think of subtraction as a form of addition.
The terms x2 and
3x are called the variable terms of the expression, and 6 is
called the constant term of the expression. The numerical factor of a variable
term is called the coefficient of the variable term. For instance, the coefficient of
the variable term
3x is
3, and the coefficient of the variable term x2 is 1. (The
constant term of an expression is also considered to be a coefficient.)
Example 1
Identifying Terms and Coefficients
Identify the terms and coefficients in each algebraic expression.
1 1
(a) 5x
(b) 4y  6x
9 (c) x2y
 3y
3 x
Solution
Terms Coefficients
1 1
(a) 5x,
5,

3 3
(b) 4y, 6x,
9 4, 6,
9
1
(c) x2y,
, 3y 1,
1, 3
x
Now try Exercise 3.
26 Chapter P Prerequisites
Historical Note
The French mathematician Franois
Vite (15401603) was the first to
use letters to represent numbers.
He used vowels to represent
unknown quantities and conso-
nants to represent known
quantities.
Properties of Algebra
The properties of real numbers (see Section P.2) can be used to rewrite algebraic
expressions. The following list is similar to those given in Section P.2, except that
the examples involve algebraic expressions. In other words, the properties are true
for variables and algebraic expressions as well as for real numbers.
Properties of Algebra
Let a, b, and c be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions.
Property Example
Commutative Property of Addition
abba 5x  x2  x2  5x
Commutative Property of Multiplication
ab  ba
3  xx3  x3
3  x
Associative Property of Addition

a  b  c  a 
b  c

x  6  3x2 
x 
6  3x2
Associative Property of Multiplication

abc  a
bc
5x  4y
6 
5x
4y  6
Distributive Properties
a
b  c  ab  ac 2x
4  3x  2x  4  2x  3x

a  bc  ac  bc
y  6y  y  y  6  y
Additive Identity Property
a00aa 4y2  0  0  4y2  4y2
Multiplicative Identity Property
a 11aa

5x3
1 
1

5x3 
5x3
Additive Inverse Property
a 

a  0 4x2 

4x2  0
Multiplicative Inverse Property
a
1
 a  1, a  0
x2  1 x
2
1
11
Because subtraction is defined as adding the opposite, the Distributive
Property is also true for subtraction. For instance, the subtraction form of
a
b  c  ab  ac is
a
b
c  ab 

c
 ab  a

c
 ab
ac.
 Section P.3 Algebraic Expressions 27

In addition to these properties, the properties of equality, zero, and negation

given in Section P.2 are also valid for algebraic expressions. The next example
illustrates the use of a variety of these properties.

Example 2
Identifying the Properties of Algebra

Identify the property of algebra illustrated in each statement.
(a)
5x23  3
5x2 (b)
3x2  x

3x2  x  0
(c) 3x  3y2  3
x  y2 (d)
5  x2  4x2  5 
x2  4x2
1
(e) 5x   1, x  0 (f )
y
63 
y
6y 
y
6
3  y
5x
Solution
(a) This statement illustrates the Commutative Property of Multiplication.
In other words, you obtain the same result whether you multiply 5x2 by 3, or
3 by 5x2.
(b) This statement illustrates the Additive Inverse Property. In terms of subtrac-
tion, this property simply states that when any expression is subtracted from
itself the result is zero.
(c) This statement illustrates the Distributive Property. In other words, multipli-
cation is distributed over addition.
(d) This statement illustrates the Associative Property of Addition. In other
words, to form the sum
5  x2  4x2
it does not matter whether 5 and x2 are added first or x2 and 4x2 are added first.
(e) This statement illustrates the Multiplicative Inverse Property. Note that it is
important that x be a nonzero number. If x were zero, the reciprocal of x
would be undefined.
(f ) This statement illustrates the Distributive Property in reverse order.
ab  ac  a
b  c Distributive Property

y
63 
y
6y 
y
6
3  y
Note in this case that a  y
6, b  3, and c  y.
Now try Exercise 13.

EXPLORATION
Discovering Properties of Exponents Write each of the following as a single
power of 2. Explain how you obtained your answer. Then generalize your procedure
by completing the statement When you multiply exponential expressions that have
the same base, you. . . .
a. 22  23 b. 24  21 c. 25  22 d. 23  24 e. 21  25
28 Chapter P Prerequisites

Historical Note Properties of Exponents

Originally, Arabian mathematicians
used their words for colors to repre-
sent quantities (cosa, censa, cubo).
These words were eventually abbre-
viated to co, ce, cu. Ren Descartes
(15961650) simplified this even
further by introducing the symbols
x, x 2, and x 3.
Just as multiplication by a positive integer can be described as repeated addition,
repeated multiplication can be written in what is called exponential form (see
Section P.1). Let n be a positive integer and let a be a real number. Then the prod-
uct of n factors of a is given by
an  a  a  a . . . a. a is the base and n is the exponent.
n factors
When multiplying two exponential expressions that have the same base, you
add exponents. To see why this is true, consider the product a3  a2. Because the
first expression represents a  a  a and the second represents a  a, the product
of the two expressions represents a  a  a  a  a, as follows.
a3  a2 
a  a  a 
a  a 
a  a  a  a  a  a32  a5
3 factors 2 factors 5 factors

Study Tip Properties of Exponents

Let a and b represent real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions, and
The first and second properties let m and n be positive integers.
of exponents can be extended
to products involving three or Property Example
more factors. For example,
1. aman  amn x5
x 4  x54  x9
am  an  ak  amnk
2.
abm  ambm
2x3  23
x3  8x3
and
3.
amn  amn
x23  x2  3  x6

abcm  ambmcm.
am x6
4.  am
n, m > n, a  0  x6
2  x4, x  0
an x2

ab 2x 
m am 3 x3 x3
5.  , b0  
bm 23 8

Example 3
Illustrating the Properties of Exponents

(a) To multiply exponential expressions that have the same base, add exponents.
x2  x4  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x24  x6
2 factors 4 factors 6 factors

(b) To raise the product of two factors to the same power, raise each factor to the
power and multiply the results.

3x3  3x  3x  3x  3  3  3  x  x  x  33  x3  27x3
3 factors 3 factors 3 factors
(c) To raise an exponential expression to a power, multiply exponents.

x32 
x  x  x 
x  x  x 
x  x  x  x  x  x  x3  2  x6
3 factors 3 factors 6 factors

Now try Exercise 29.

 Section P.3 Algebraic Expressions 29

Example 4
Illustrating the Properties of Exponents

Study Tip
(a) To divide exponential expressions that have the same base, subtract
In the expression x  5, the
exponents.
coefficient of x is understood to
be 1. Similarly, the power (or 5 factors
exponent) of x is also under-
x5 x  x  x  x  x
stood to be 1. So   x5
2  x3
x2 xx
x4  x  x2  x412  x7. 2 factors
Note such occurrences in
(b) To raise the quotient of two expressions to the same power, raise each expres-
Examples 5(a) and 6(b).
sion to the power and divide the results.
3 factors

xxx

3
x x x x x3 x3
 333  3
3 3  3  3 3 27
3 factors

Now try Exercise 35.

Example 5
Applying Properties of Exponents

Use the properties of exponents to simplify each expression.
(a)
x2 y 4
3x (b)
2
y23 (c)

2y 23 (d)
3x2

5x3
Solution
(a)
x2 y 4
3x  3
x 2  x
y 4  3
x21
y 4  3x3y 4
(b)
2
y23 

2
y2  3 
2y6
(c)

2y23 

23
y23 
8
y2  3 
8y6
(d)
3x2

5x3  3

53
x2  x3  3

125
x23 
375x5
Now try Exercise 63.

Example 6
Applying Properties of Exponents

Use the properties of exponents to simplify each expression.

2a2b32
14a5b3
2yx 
2 3 x n y 3n
(a) (b) (c) (d)
7a2b2 x2y4 a3b2
Solution
14a5b3
(a)  2
a5
2
b3
2  2a3b
7a2b2

x23 x2  3
2yx 
2 3 x6
(b)   3 3 3

2y3 2y 8y
x n y 3n
(c)  xn
2 y 3n
4
x 2 y4

2a2b32 22
a2  2
b3  2 4a4b6
(d)   3 2  4
a4
3
b6
2  4ab4
a3b2 a3b2 ab
Now try Exercise 65.
30 Chapter P Prerequisites

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

One common use of the basic properties of algebra is to rewrite an algebraic
expression in a simpler form. To simplify an algebraic expression generally
means to remove symbols of grouping such as parentheses or brackets and com-
bine like terms.
Two or more terms of an algebraic expression can be combined only if they
are like terms. In an algebraic expression, two terms are said to be like terms if
they are both constant terms or if they have the same variable factor(s). For
example, the terms 4x and
2x are like terms because they have the same vari-
able factor, x. Similarly, 2x2y,
x2 y, and 12
x 2 y are like terms because they have
the same variable factor, x2y. Note that 4x2y and
x 2 y 2 are not like terms because
their variable factors are different.
To combine like terms in an algebraic expression, simply add their respective
coefficients and attach the common variable factor. This is actually an application
of the Distributive Property, as shown in Example 7.

Example 7
Combining Like Terms

Study Tip Simplify each expression by combining like terms.
As you gain experience with the (a) 2x  3x
4 (b)
3  5  2y
7y (c) 5x  3y
4x
properties of algebra, you may
want to combine some of the Solution
steps in your work. For instance, (a) 2x  3x
4 
2  3x
4 Distributive Property
you might feel comfortable list-
ing only the following steps to  5x
4 Simplest form

solve Example 7(c).

(b)
3  5  2y
7y 

3  5 
2
7y Distributive Property
5x  3y
4x  2
5y Simplest form
Group like

5x
4x  3y terms.
 x  3y Combine (c) 5x  3y
4x  5x
4x  3y Commutative Property
like terms.

5x
4x  3y Associative Property

5
4x  3y Distributive Property
 x  3y Simplest form

Now try Exercise 93.

Example 8
Combining Like Terms

(a) 7x  7y
4x
y 
7x
4x 
7y
y Group like terms.

 3x  6y Combine like terms.

(b) 2x2  3x
5x2
x 
2x2
5x2 
3x
x Group like terms.


3x2  2x Combine like terms.

(c) 3xy2
4x2y2  2xy2 
xy2


3xy 2  2xy 2 

4x 2y 2  x 2 y 2
 5xy2
3x2 y2
Now try Exercise 99.
 Section P.3 Algebraic Expressions 31

A set of parentheses preceded by a minus sign can be removed by changing

the sign of each term inside the parentheses. For instance,
8x

5x
4  8x
5x  4  3x  4.
A set of parentheses preceded by a plus sign can be removed without changing
the signs of the terms inside the parentheses. For instance,
8x 
5x
4  8x  5x
4  13x
4.

Example 9
Removing Symbols of Grouping

Simplify 3
x
5

2x
7.
Solution
3
x
5

2x
7  3x
15
2x  7 Distributive Property

3x
2x 

15  7 Group like terms.
x
8 Combine like terms.

Now try Exercise 105.

Example 10
Geometry: Perimeter and Area of a Region

Write and simplify an expression for the perimeter and for the area of each region
shown in Figure P.10.
x
Solution
3x 5 (a) Perimeter of a rectangle  2  length  2  width
 2
3x
5  2x Substitute.
(a)
 6x
10  2x Distributive Property

6x  2x
10 Group like terms.
2x + 4
2x  8x
10 Combine like terms.

x+5 Area of a rectangle  length  width

(b) 
3x
5x Substitute.

Figure P.10  3x2
5x Distributive Property

(b) Perimeter of a triangle  sum of the three sides

 2x 
2x  4 
x  5 Substitute.

2x  2x  x 
4  5 Group like terms.
 5x  9 Combine like terms.

Area of a triangle  1
2  base  height
 12
x  5
2x Substitute.
Commutative Property
2
2x
x  5
1
 of Multiplication
 x
x  5 Multiply.
 x2  5x Distributive Property

Now try Exercise 137.

When removing symbols of grouping, combine like terms within the

innermost symbols of grouping first, as shown in the next example.
32 Chapter P Prerequisites

Example 11
Removing Symbols of Grouping

Simplify each expression by combining like terms.
(a) 5x
2x3  2
x
7 (b)
3x
5x 4 
2x5
Solution
(a) 5x
2x3  2
x
7  5x
2x3  2x
14 Remove parentheses.
 5x
2x2x
11 Combine like
terms in brackets.
 5x
4x2  22x Remove brackets.

4x2  27x Combine like terms.

(b)
3x
5x4 
2x5 
15x5 
25
x5 Properties of exponents


15x5  32x5 Evaluate power.
 17x5 Combine like terms.

Now try Exercise 113.

Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

To evaluate an algebraic expression, substitute numerical values for each of the
variables in the expression. Here are some examples.
Expression Value of Variable Substitute Value of Expression
3x  2 x2 3
2  2 628
4x2  2x
1 x 
1 4

1  2

1
1 4
2
1  1
2

2x
x  4 x 
2 2

2

2  4 2

2
2 
8

Example 12
Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

Evaluate each algebraic expression when x 
2 and y  5.
(a) 2y
3x (b) 5  x2 (c) 5
x2
Solution
(a) When x 
2 and y  5, the expression 2y
3x has a value of
2y
3x  2
5
3

2 Substitute for x and y.
 10  6 Simplify.
 16. Simplify.

(b) When x 
2, the expression 5  x2 has a value of

5  x2  5 

22 Substitute for x.
54 Simplify.
 9. Simplify.

(c) When x 
2, the expression 5
x2 has a value of

5
x2  5


22 Substitute for x.
5
4 Simplify.
 1. Simplify.

Now try Exercise 121.

 Section P.3 Algebraic Expressions 33

Example 13
Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

Evaluate each algebraic expression when x  2 and y 
1.
2xy
(a) x2
2xy  y2 
(b) y
x  (c)
5x  y
Solution
(a) When x  2 and y 
1, the expression x2
2xy  y2 has a value of
x2
2xy  y2  22
2
2

1 

12 Substitute for x and y.
 4  4  1  9. Simplify.

Technology
Most graphing utilities can be
used to evaluate an algebraic
expression for several values of
x and display the results in a
table. For instance, to evaluate
2x2
3x  2 when x is 0, 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, and 6, you can use the
steps below.
1. Enter the expression into the
graphing utility.
2. Using the table feature, set
the minimum value of the
table to 0.
3. Set the table step or table
increment to 1.
4. Display the table.
The results are shown below.
Consult the users guide for
your graphing utility for specific
instructions.

(b) When x  2 and y 
1, the expression y
x has a value of
y
x  
1
2 Substitute for x and y.
 
3  3. Simplify.
(c) When x  2 and y 
1, the expression 2xy
5x  y has a value of
2xy 2
2

1
 Substitute for x and y.
5x  y 5
2 

1

4 4
 
. Simplify.
10
1 9
Now try Exercise 131.
Example 14
Using a Mathematical Model
From 1997 to 2004, the average hourly wage for construction workers in the
United States can be modeled by the expression

0.0231t2  1.011t  9.66, 7 t 14
where t represents the year, with t  7 corresponding to 1997. Create a table that
shows the average hourly wages for these years. (Source: U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics)
Solution
To create a table of values that shows the average hourly wages for the years 1997
to 2004, evaluate the expression

0.0231t2  1.011t  9.66
for each integer value of t from t  7 to t  14.

Year 1997 1998 1999 2000

t 7 8 9 10

Hourly wage $15.61 $16.27 $16.89 $17.46

Year 2001 2002 2003 2004

t 11 12 13 14

Hourly wage $17.99 $18.47 $18.90 $19.29

Now try Exercise 145.

34 Chapter P Prerequisites

P.3
Exercises
VOCABULARY CHECK: Fill in the blanks.
1. A collection of ________ and ________ combined using the operations of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, and exponentiation is called an ________.
2. The ________ of an algebraic expression are those parts that are separated by addition.
3. The numerical factor of a variable term is called the ________ of the variable term.
4. Repeated multiplication can be written in ________.
5. You ________ an algebraic expression by combining like terms and removing symbols of grouping.
6. To ________ an algebraic expression, substitute numerical values for each of the variables in the expression.

In Exercises 18, identify the terms of the algebraic 24. (a) Distributive Property
expression. 6x  6 

1. 10x  5 2.
16t2  48 (b) Commutative Property of Addition
3.
3y  2y
8
2
4. 25z3
4.8z
2 6x  6 

5. 4x2
3y2
5x  2y 6. 14u2  25uv
3v2 25. (a) Commutative Property of Multiplication
1 3 4 6
xy 

7. x2
2.5x
8.
6
x t2 t (b) Associative Property of Multiplication
6
xy 

In Exercises 912, identify the coefficient of the term.
26. (a) Additive Identity Property
9. 5y3 10. 4x6 3ab  0 

3
11.
4t2 12.
8.4x (b) Commutative Property of Addition
In Exercises 1322, identify the property of algebra that is 3ab  0 

illustrated by the statement. 27. (a) Additive Inverse Property
13. 4
3x 
3x  4 4t2 

4t2 

14.
10  x
y  10 
x
y (b) Commutative Property of Addition
4t2 

4t2 

15.
5
2x 

5  2x
16.
x
2
3  3
x
2 28. (a) Associative Property of Addition
1
3  6 

9 

17.
x  5   1, x 
5
x5 (b) Additive Inverse Property
18.
x2  1

x2  1  0 9 

9 

19. 5
y3  3  5y3  5 3
In Exercises 2938, write the expression as a repeated
20. 10x3y 0 10x3y
multiplication.
21.
16t 4  1  16t 4
22.
32
u2
3u 
32u2  96u
29. x3  x4 30. z2  z5
31.
2y3 32.
4t4
In Exercises 2328, use the property to rewrite the 33.

2x 3
34.

5y4
expression.
5y  2z 
4 3
35. 36.
23. (a) Distributive Property
5
x  6 
37.  
6 4
38.  
3 5

(b) Commutative Property of Multiplication x t

5
x  6 

 Section P.3 Algebraic Expressions 35

In Exercises 3944, write the expression using exponential r ns m

89.
notation. rs3

xx yy 
2n m 2
39.
5x
5x
5x
5x 90. 4 3
40.
2y
2y
2y
2y
2y
41.
y  y  y
y  y  y  y In Exercises 91102, simplify the expression by combining
42.
x  x  x
y  y  y like terms.
43.

z

z

z

z

z

z

z 91. 3x  4x
44.

9t

9t

9t

9t

9t

9t 92.
2x2  4x2
93. 9y
5y  4y
In Exercises 4590, use the properties of exponents to
simplify the expression. 94. 8y  7y
y
95. 3x
2y  5x  20y
45. x5  x2 46. y3  y4
96.
2a  13b
7a
b
47.
a24 48.
x53
97. 8z2  32z
52z2  10
x7 z8
49. 3 50. 5 98.
5y3  3y
6y2  8y3  y
4
x z
99. 2uv  5u2v2
uv

uv2
 
a2
 
2 x3 3
51. 52.
b y2 100. 3m2n2
4mn
n
5m  2
mn2
53. 33y4  y2 54. 62x3  x5 101. 5
ab2  2ab
4ab
55.

4x2 56.

4x3 102. 3xy
xy  8
57.

5z2 3  58.

5z3 2 
In Exercises 103120, simplify the algebraic expression.
59.
a4b4 4  60.
y2z5 3
61.
x 

x
3 62.

z 
z3
2 103. 10
x
3  2x
5
63.
2xy
3x2 y3 64.

5a2b3
2ab4 104. 3
x2  1  x2
6
37x5 24y5 105.
4x  1

2x  2
65. 66. 106.
7y2  5

8y2  4
33x3 22 y3

2xy5 43
ab6 107.

3z2
2z  4 
z2
z
2
67. 68.
6
xy3 4
ab2 108.
t2  10t
3

5t
8
69.
5y2

y4 70.
3y3
2y2 109.
3
y2  3y
1  2
y
5
71.
5z4

5z4 72.

6n

3n2 110. 5
a  6
4
a2
2a
1
73.

2a2

2a2 74.

2a2

8a 111. 45
3
x2  10

2x4y2 3a5b7 112. 25x2

x3  5
75. 76.
2x3y a3
3b2 113. 23
b
5

b2  b  3
6
a3b3

3c5d 32 114.
4
t  1

t2
2t
5
77. 78.

3ab2

2cd 3 115. y2
y  1  y
y2  1

x2y3

x22z8 116. z2
z4
z2  4z3
z  1
79. 80.


xy2
x3z7
117. x
xy2  y
2xy
xy  1
81.
 
2x 4 2
5y
82.
 
3a3 3
2b5
118. 2ab
b2
3
ab
b2  2
9a8
x n1 a m3
119.
2a
3a23 
83. 84. 3a
xn a3
4y5
85.
x n4 86.
a3k 120. 5y3 

7yy2
2y2
87. x n  x3 88. y m  y2
36 Chapter P Prerequisites

In Exercises 121136, evaluate the algebraic expression for 139. 140. 1

t
1
b+
3
1
each specified value of the variable(s). If not possible, state 2 b+1
the reason.
b t t
Expression Values 5
121. 5
3x (a) x  5 (b) x  23
122. 32x
2 (a) x  6 (b) x 
3 Geometry In Exercises 141144, write an expression for
123. 10
x  (a) x  3 (b) x 
3 the area of the figure. Then evaluate the expression for the


given value of the variable.
124.
x  6 (a) x 
4 (b) x  5
125. 3x2
x7 (a) x 
1 (b) x  13 141. b  15 142. x  3
1
126. 2x2  5x
3 (a) x 
3 (b) x  2

Expression Values b3 3x
x
127. 2 (a) x  0 (b) x  3
x 1 b
x2
3
128. 5
(a) x  0 (b) x 
6 143. h  12 144. y  20
x
129. 3x  2y (a) x  1, y5
h
(b) x 
6, y 
9 2y +4
5
130. 4x
y (a) x  2, y0 5
h + 10
4
(b) x 
2, y 
5
1y
131. x2  3xy
y2 (a) x 
1, y2 2

(b) x 
6, y 
3
Using a Model In Exercises 145 and 146, use the model
132. x2
xy  y2 (a) x  2, y 
1 which approximates the per capita consumption (in pounds
(b) x 
3, y 
2 per person) of yogurt in the United States from 1996

133. y
x  (a) x  2, y5 through 2003 (see figure). In the model, t represents the
year, with t  6 corresponding to 1996. (Source:
(b) x 
2, y 
2
USDA/Economic Research Service)

134. x
y  (a) x  0, y  10
(b) x  4, y4 0.058t2
0.77t  8.4, 6 t 13
135. rt (a) r  40, t  514 y

(b) r  35, t4 8.5

(in pounds per person)

8.0
136. Prt (a) P  $5000, r  0.085, Creamy
Consumption

7.5
t  10 7.0
(b) P  $750, r  0.07, 6.5

t3 6.0
5.5
t
Geometry In Exercises 137140, (a) write and simplify an 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
expression for the perimeter of the region and (b) write and Year (6 1996)
simplify an expression for the area of the region.
145. Use the graph to determine the per capita
137. 2 138.
consumption of yogurt in 1999. Then use the model
3

to approximate the per capita consumption of

+

x 2h
2h

2 yogurt in 1999, Compare your results.

2x
146. Use the graph to determine the per capita
x h+3 consumption of yogurt in 2002. Then use the model
to approximate the per capita consumption of
4 yogurt in 2002. Compare your results.
 Section P.3 Algebraic Expressions 37

147. Geometry The area of a trapezoid with parallel 154. Write, from memory, the properties of exponents.
bases of lengths b1 and b2, and height h, is 155. Writing Explain the difference between
2x3 and
2
b1  b2 h. Use the Distributive Property to show
1
2x3.
that the area can also be written as
156. (a) Complete the table by evaluating 2x
5.
b1h  12
b2
b1h.
148. Geometry Use both formulas given in Exercise x
1 0 1 2 3 4
147 to find the area of a trapezoid with b1  7,
b2  12, and h  3. 2x
5

149. Area of a Rectangle The figure shows two

(b) From the table in part (a), determine the
adjoining rectangles. Demonstrate the Distributive
increase in the value of the expression for each
Property by filling in the blanks to write the total
one-unit increase in x.
area of the two rectangles in two ways.
(c) Complete the table by using the table feature of




 

a graphing utility to evaluate 3x  2.

b c x
1 0 1 2 3 4

a
b+c
150. Area of a Rectangle The figure shows two
adjoining rectangles. Demonstrate the subtraction
version of the Distributive Property by filling in
the blanks to write the area of the left rectangle in
two ways.
3x  2
(d) From the table in part (c), determine the
increase in the value of the expression for each
one-unit increase in x.
(e) Use the results in parts (a) through (d) to make
a conjecture about the increase in the value of
the algebraic expression 7x  4 for each
one-unit increase in x. Use the table feature of
a graphing utility to confirm your result.

 


(f ) Use the results in parts (a) through (d) to make

a conjecture about the increase (or decrease) in
b the value of the algebraic expression
3x  1
for each one-unit increase in x. Use the table
feature of a graphing utility to confirm your
a result.
(g) In general, what does the coefficient of the x-term
represent in the expression ax  b?
bc c

Synthesis
True or False? In Exercises 151 and 152, determine
whether the statement is true or false. Justify your answer.
151.
3ab  3
ab
152. 2x
5
y  2x
5  2x

y
153. Writing Explain the difference between constants
and variables in an algebraic expression.